Painful Raynaud's mimics

Abstract

Raynaud's syndrome is a common finding in many autoimmune conditions. Accurately diagnosing Raynaud's, and differentiating it from mimicking conditions, is imperative in rheumatologic diseases. Raynaud's syndrome and Raynaud's mimickers, especially painful Raynaud's mimickers, can prove a diagnostic challenge for the practicing rheumatologist. Painful Raynaud's mimickers can lead to increased patient stress and unnecessary medical work up; Healthcare providers need to be aware of Raynaud's mimickers when evaluating patient concerns of skin color changes and pain. The present narrative review aims to highlight Raynaud's syndrome, important painful mimickers that may be seen, diagnosis, and updated management recommendations.

Keywords: Acrocyanosis; Chilblains / pernio; Complex regional pain syndrome; Erythromelalgia; Lupus chilblains; Paraneoplastic acral vascular syndrome; Raynaud's disease; Raynaud's mimickers; Raynaud's phenomena; Raynaud's syndrome; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Thromboangiitis obliterans.