How is complex regional pain syndrome diagnosed?
The diagnosis of CRPS is made clinically. The Budapest diagnostic criteria for CRPS require the following:
- • Continuous pain which is disproportionate to an inciting event
- • Symptoms in at least three of four domains (sensory, vasomotor, sudomotor/edema, and motor/trophic). Specific aspects of each domain are described in the criteria.
- • Signs in at least two of four domains (sensory, vasomotor, sudomotor/edema, and motor/trophic). Specific aspects of each domain are described in the criteria.
- • No other diagnosis that better explains the signs and symptoms.
Although there is no specific diagnostic test for CRPS, in certain circumstances, investigations such as QST, autonomic testing, x-rays, bone scintigraphy, and Doppler flow studies can be performed to interrogate for findings that have been described in people with CRPS.
