Complex regional pain syndrome

Description

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition in an extremity with a variable course over time. It is characterized by continuing regional pain (not in a specific nerve territory or dermatome), usually with distal predominance or distal-to-proximal gradient. It typically arises after tissue trauma and is seemingly disproportionate in magnitude or duration to the usual course of pain after such tissue trauma. CRPS is characterized by signs indicating autonomic and neuro-inflammatory changes in the affected body region varying between patients and over time. Often, CRPS is accompanied by significant emotional distress or functional disability. CRPS is multifactorial.

Coding note from above levels

Other chronic pain diagnoses to be considered are chronic cancer-related pain, chronic postsurgical or posttraumatic pain, chronic neuropathic pain, chronic secondary headache or orofacial pain, chronic secondary visceral pain and chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain.

This code should be used if a pain condition persists or recurs for longer than 3 months.

Exclusions from above levels

• MG31 – Acute pain
• 8E43 – Pain disorders
• AB70.2 – Ear pain