What is Morbus Sudeck?

CRPS is the short form for complex regional pain syndrome. Other words used for this illness are: reflex dystrophy, morbus sudeck, sudeck dystrophy, algodystrophy or sympathetic reflex dystrophy. CRPS is a special kind of chronic pain condition.

What does CRPS look like on a MRI?

Background: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) have shown abnormal signals in skin, soft tissue, joints, bone, and bone marrow, but not yet in skeletal muscles, during the acute phase.

Can you see CRPS on an MRI?

MRI scans and X-rays are also used to detect CRPS, for much the same reasons as bone scans. X-rays may be able to pick up irregularities or mineral loss from bones, while MRI’s can show a number of tissue irregularities.

Does CRPS cause osteopenia?

So is CRPS a risk factor for developing osteoporosis? No. In some cases CRPS may cause some localised loss of bone density in the affected limb but this does not mean that the individual has generalised osteoporosis or is at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis at a later date.

How do I know if my CRPS is spreading?

There may be spreading of the condition to other parts of the body. Limbs / extremities or muscles will have become even stiffer due to the swelling and lack of use. Severe bone mass reduction will usually be seen and if the CRPS is in the hands or arms the fingers will become thin and long.

Can bone scan detect CRPS?

A three-phase bone scan neither makes nor excludes the diagnosis of CRPS by itself. I always teach my students: “Never treat a test result, treat the patient.” In other words, a pathognomonic “CRPS bone scan” can confirm a diagnosis of CRPS only when my patient has the clinical signs and symptoms of CRPS.

Can you see CRPS on an xray?

Paul Sudeck’s description of radiographic changes in patients with CRPS, a conventional bilateral x-ray of the hand has been standard for CRPS diagnosis (3). During the first stage of CRPS (0-3 months), x-rays usually look normal, while in later stages (3-12 months) osteopenia appears on the x-rays (4).

How do you test for CRPS?

There is no specific test to diagnose complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is diagnosed mainly through careful history, physical examination and review of your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will ask you if you’d had a recent injury (such as a sprain), fracture or surgery.

Can CRPS affect the brain?

Research has demonstrated that people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) regularly exhibit changes in brain function.

What does CRPS do to your bones?

Results: In CRPS patients, metacarpal index (cortical bone thickness), maximum bone density (cortical bone density), minimum bone density (trabecular bone density), and average bone density were reduced on the affected side (14.1%, 12.1%, 25.0% and 19.3% respectively).

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