Abstract

One of the most fascinating and perplexing chronic pain syndromes is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CRPS). Patients exposed to minor trauma or injury present with a syndrome marked by persistent, disproportionate, and progressive pain. While this disorder has been controversial and confusing for researchers, recent evidence has increased our understanding about the possible underlying mechanisms. Studies have narrowed down to biological pathways that result in inflammation, vasomotor dysfunction, maladaptive neuroplasticity and associated immune response to the initial injury (1). There is currently no cure or one hundred percent effective therapy for CRPS and researchers have called for consideration of multiple structures and mechanisms as the basis for more targeted therapeutic interventions (2). This poster highlights the structural and biochemical basis for clinical manifestations. Isolating the anatomical structures and biochemical components involved in CRPS is a starting point to more targeted therapeutic trials.