Complex regional pain syndrome in hand-wrist injuries

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following hand/wrist injuries. Methods: The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and details regarding the presence of an occupational accident, the type of hand/wrist injury (bone, tendon, nerve, mixed), the Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) (minor, moderate, severe, major), and the presence of CRPS were obtained from the hospital information system and analyzed. Results: A total of 311 patient files were included in the study. In all, 23.8% of the patients developed CRPS and 49.2% had mixed-type injuries. There was a relationship between the lesion type and the development of CRPS: a mixed type of injury was most common (p=0.015). Isolated nerve injuries were also associated with the development of CRPS (p=0.001). A significant difference was noted in the MHISS and CRPS occurrence in cases of major injury (p=0.003). Conclusion: A high MHISS and/or nerve injury in patients with hand/wrist injuries may be a risk factor for the development of CRPS.