Complete Improvement of Severe Forearm Complex Regional Pain Syndrome with Six High-Dose Incobotulinumtoxin A Injections: Clinical Implications with Respect to the Literature

Abstract

There is some evidence that injections of botulinum neurotoxin effectively reduce pain in complex regional pain syndromes (CRPSs). But no or little experience appears to exist for the application of incobotulinum neurotoxin type A (incoBoNT/A) in complex pain disorders. Here, a case of CRPS type I, characterized by severe symptoms in the left forearm is presented, showed significant continuous improvement following a series of six repetitive (painful) injections into the finger, hand, and forearm muscles of incoBoNT/A every 3 months, administered at declining doses varying between 500 and 100 U. Remarkably, this treatment regimen led to the complete resolution of pain, vaso- and sudomotor symptoms, and hand dystonia. This highlights the possible efficacy of incoBoNT/A in the treatment of CRPS and encourages the further exploration of incoBoNT/A’s role in the successful management of complex pain disorders.