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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIf complex regional pain syndrome isn't diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the disease may progress to more disabling signs and symptoms. These may include:
- Muscle wasting (atrophy). If you avoid moving an arm or a leg because of pain or if you have trouble moving a limb because of stiffness, your skin and muscles may begin wasting.
- Contracture. You may also experience tightening of your muscles. This may lead to a condition in which your hand and fingers or your foot and toes contract into a fixed position.
Complex regional pain syndrome occasionally may spread from its source to elsewhere in your body in these patterns:
- Continuity type. The symptoms may migrate from the initial site of the pain — for example, from your hand to your shoulder, trunk and face.
- Mirror-image type. The symptoms may spread from one limb to the opposite limb.
- Independent type. Sometimes, the symptoms may leap to a distant part of your body.
- Sheon RP, et al. Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Sheon RP, et al. Prevention and management of complex regional pain syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Complex regional pain syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Neuropathic pain. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch209/ch209c.html#sec16-ch209-ch209c-285. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Sandroni P (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 30, 2009.
