Complex regional painsyndrome in adultsUK guidelines for diagnosis, referral andmanagement in primary and secondary careDeveloped by a panel of experts with support from, and representation by the Royal College of GeneralPractitioners, the Royal College of Physicians, the College of Occupational Therapists, the British Associationof Dermatologists, the British Health Professionals in Rheumatology, the British Orthopaedic Association,the British Pain Society, the British Psychological Society, the British Society for Rehabilitation Medicine,the British Society for Rheumatology, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Physiotherapy PainAssociation, the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, and the Pain Relief Foundation.

With additional support from the Royal College of Radiologists, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists,

The Association of Orthopaedic Practitioners, the British Association of Hand Therapists, the BritishAssociation of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons and the Association of British Neurologists.

Endorsed by :

Also endorsed by the British Society of Rheumatologists and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology

April 2012

Pain ReliefFoundation

Complex regional pain syndrome in adultsUK guidelines for diagnosis, referral and management in primary and secondary care

Endorsed by

Also endorsed by the British Society of Rheumatologists and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology

These guidelines concern the diagnosis and management of patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). They provide recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and referral in a variety of clinical settings (GP practice, orthopaedic practice, rheumatology, neurology and neurosurgery, dermatology, pain medicine, rehabilitation medicine and long-term care). Their purpose is to provide coherent guidance for professionals working in the di�erent health specialties who care for these patients. The guidelines include an introduction for all interested parties, and sections which are specialty-speci�c.

Clinicians will �nd relevant information in reading both the introduction and respective speci�c sections. Recommendations are generally based on panel consensus and expert opinion; grading is not provided. Grading of recommendations using the typology developed for the National Service Framework for long-term conditions is given there.

These guidelines are available from the RCP website: www.rcplondon.ac.uk/crps