Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Spectrum: CRPS or Neuropathic Pain Following Distal Phalanx V Amputation by a Human Bite: A Case Report

BackgroundComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition marked by intense, relative to the triggering event disproportionate continuing pain as well as other symptoms and clinical signs including hyperalgesia and/or allodynia, temperature asymmetry and/or skin color changes, edema and/or sweating changes, and decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction and/or trophic changes.Its pathophysiology is yet to be determined.It has specific diagnosis criteria based on the clinical presentation. CaseIn this case report, we present the case of a 24-year-old paramedic and medical student who was bitten by a patient with HIV, leading to distal phalanx V amputation of the right hand.The patient developed symptoms including hyperalgesia, allodynia, and severe coldness of the injured finger during months following the incident.In a specialized CRPS consultation, the IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain) criteria for CRPS were fulfilled incompletely: hyperalgesia, allodynia, temperature asymmetry, and moderate skin color changes were present, whereas edema, sweating changes, decreased range of motion, motor dysfunction, or trophic changes were not. ConclusionA syndrome related to CRPS, maybe less severe in nature, that falls outside the IASP criteria for CRPS, may exist.Vasomotor dysfunction may be a central pathology in CRPS spectrum disorders.We also emphasize the necessity for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses) after bite injuries.