• Szynkowicz P
• Petrucci A

• Acute Pain
• Adult
• Affiliation / University of Bridgeport. School of Chiropractic. Outpatient Clinic
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Connecticut / Bridgeport
• Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
• Female
• Fractures, Bone
• Open Access Document
• Upper Extremity / injuries

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe the evaluation and treatment of a patient presenting with left upper extremity pain and neck pain after a slip and fall.

Clinical Features: A 56-year-old woman sustained a left distal radius fracture secondary to a slip-and-fall accident. She was placed in a cast for 6 weeks, and after the removal of her cast she developed excruciating left forearm, wrist, hand, and finger pain. The patient was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 utilizing the modified (Budapest) International Association for the Study of Pain criteria.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient did not respond positively to initial management, which included the application of a cast after closed reduction of the distal radius fracture, 8 weeks of physical/occupational therapy, and the use of a brace which kept her left wrist, hand, and fingers in a flexed position. Subsequently, the patient presented to the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic outpatient clinic, where she was evaluated and treated. She received a total of 36 chiropractic treatments between her initial office visit in January 2018 and the follow-up in June 2018. The patient reported and demonstrated amelioration of her presenting complaints, decreased pain, increased ranges of motion, and increased function.

Conclusion: This case report underscores the importance of a rapid, accurate, initial diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome type 1, during the acute (warm) stage.

Author keywords: Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Chiropractic; Pain

Author affiliations: University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic Outpatient Clinic, Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States

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