How is CRPS Diagnosed?
The CRPS diagnosis can be very challenging.
A diagnosis is based on a few variables; a person’s medical history, physical symptoms,and medical diagnostics.
SYMPTOMS:
Using Budapest Criteria, as a diagnosis of CRPS, a patient must have at least one symptom in three of the following four categories: Sensory: an abnormal increase in sensitivity (hyperesthesia) and/or allodynia Vasomotor: skin color changes or temperature and/or skin color changes between the limbs Sudomotor: swelling (edema) and/or sweating differences between the limbs; Motor: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction, tremors/ muscular spasms (dystonia) and/or trophic changes (changes to hair/nails and/or skin).
SIGNS:
At the examination, at least one sign must be present in two or more of the following categories: Sensory: hyperalgesia (to pinprick) and/or allodynia, deep somatic (physical) pressure Vasomotor: temperature differences between the limb and/or skin color changes and/or skin color changes between the limb; Sudomotor: edema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating differences between the limbs; Motor/trophic: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (i.e. weakness, tremor or muscle spasm) and/or trophic changes
The Budapest Criteria, can help doctors evaluate if a patient has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.