Summary

• Prolonged pain, disproportionate to the initiating event, most frequently following minor trauma and most commonly affecting the distal aspect of an extremity.
• Pain often described as spontaneous, burning, lancinating, sharp, shooting, or electric. Characteristically develops dull, boring, and aching qualities with chronicity. Allodynia and hyperalgesia are almost always present.
• Local oedema, erythema, sweating abnormalities, and trophic skin and nail changes are often, but not always, present.
• Affected extremity is often held immobile, resulting in dystonia, focal weakness, and contractures, probably due to disuse.
• Diagnosis is clinical. No specific tests are diagnostic for this condition.
• The main focus of treatment is adequate analgesia and improvement of mobility and function.