Sudeck's atrophy: pathophysiology and treatment of a complex pain syndrome.
Summary: The "Morbus Sudeck" or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) forms a typical triad of motor, sensory and autonomic symptoms. It is clinically characterized by spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia not limited to a single nerve territory and disproportionate to the inciting event. An underlying pathophysiology which could explain the whole symptomatology of CRPS is still unknown. Therefore, nowadays therapy is still symptomatic. However, recent research led to a better understanding of the disease and to the beginning of a pathophysiologically orientated therapy.