ascorbic-acid and Complex-Regional-Pain-Syndromes

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a heterogenous and poorly understood condition that can be provoked by quite minor injuries. The symptoms and signs of CRPS persist, long after the patient has recovered from the inciting event. In some cases, there is a clear association with a peripheral nerve injury. The degree of disability produced by CRPS is often out of proportion to the scale of the original insult and the condition is associated with protracted recovery times and frequent litigation.. We have performed a PubMed literature search, referenced landmark papers in the field and included a national expert in peripheral nerve injury and repair in our team of authors.. The diagnostic criteria for CRPS have changed repeatedly over the last two centuries and much of the historical literature is difficult to compare with more recent research. In this review article, we consider how our understanding of the condition has evolved and discuss its pathogenesis, its apparent heterogenicity and the various investigations and treatments available to the clinician.

Topics: Amputation, Surgical; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anticonvulsants; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Gabapentin; Glucocorticoids; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Neuromuscular Agents; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Physical Therapy Modalities; Risk Factors; Sympathectomy

Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I), previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is common after conservatively or surgically treated wrist fractures. Several studies support the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing CRPS-I, although the data are somewhat conflicting. The primary objective of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of vitamin C therapy in preventing CRPS-I after a wrist fracture.. Randomised, placebo-controlled trials of vitamin C to prevent CRPS-I after wrist fractures were sought in the three main databases: PubMed (1980 to December 2015), CENTRAL (Central 2015, number 12), and Embase (1980 to December 2015). Two authors worked independently to select articles. Data from selected articles were collected independently.. Three randomised placebo-controlled trials in a total of 875 patients were included. Treatment was non-operative in 758/890 (85.1%) fractures and operative in 132 (14.9%) fractures. Vitamin C supplementation was started on the day of the injury and continued for 50 days. In the group given 500mg of vitamin C daily, the risk ratio for CRPS-I was 0.54 (95%CI, 0.33-0.91; P=0.02). Thus, the risk of developing CRPS-I was significantly decreased by prophylactic treatment with 500mg of vitamin C per day. The heterogeneity rate was 65% (non-significant).. Daily supplementation with 500mg of vitamin C per day for 50 days decreases the 1-year risk of CRPS-I after wrist fracture.. II, systematic review of level I and II studies.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Radius Fractures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ulna Fractures; Wrist Injuries

Postoperative pain can contribute to increased risk for complications and lengthened hospital stays. The objective was to analyze the effects of perioperative vitamin C supplementation on postoperative pain and the development of complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I) in patients undergoing surgical procedures.. A systematic review of published literature was performed through April 2014. References from relevant studies were scanned for additional studies. Results were screened for relevance independently, and full-text studies were assessed for eligibility. Reporting quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.. The search strategy yielded 710 studies, of which 13 were included: 7 on postoperative pain and 6 on CRPS I. In the final analysis, 1 relevant study found a reduction in postoperative morphine utilization after preoperative vitamin C consumption, whereas another showed no difference in postoperative pain outcomes between the vitamin C and control groups. A meta-analysis of 3 applicable CRPS I studies showed a decrease in postoperative CRPS I after perioperative vitamin C supplementation (relative risk=2.25; τ²=0).. There is moderate-level evidence supporting the use of a 2 g preoperative dose of vitamin C as an adjunct for reducing postoperative morphine consumption, and high-level evidence supporting perioperative vitamin C supplementation of 1 g/d for 50 days for CRPS I prevention after extremity surgery. Additional studies are necessary to increase the level of evidence to determine the overall effectiveness and optimum dosage of vitamin C.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Databases, Bibliographic; Humans; Incidence; Pain, Postoperative; Preoperative Care

Complex regional pain syndrome is a well-known complication after distal radius fracture with incidence ranging from 10.5 to 37 %. Some studies recommend the use of vitamin C to prevent complex regional pain syndrome. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in prevention of CRPS.. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trial (RCT) and comparative studies reporting use of vitamin C to prevent distal radius fracture. Dichotomous variable was presented as risk ratio with 95 % confidence intervals.. We obtained 220 articles from the database search. After the exclusion of duplicates, unrelated articles, letter to editor and editorials, we found four articles relevant to our topic. Meta-analysis of the CRPS incidence revealed that the incidence of CRPS was significantly lower in the vitamin C group [RD 0.41 (0.19-0.92), P = 0.03]. There was moderate to high heterogeneity in the studies included I (2) = 63 %).. Our analysis showed a significant reduction in prevalence of CRPS with the use of vitamin C. Further high-quality RCTs with standard dosages and common diagnostic criteria are needed to be able to deliver solid conclusions.

Topics: Analgesics; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Middle Aged; Radius Fractures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors

To determine whether vitamin C is effective in preventing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in patients with distal radius fractures.. MEDLINE (1946 to present), EMBASE (1974 to present), and The Cochrane Library (no date limit) were systematically searched up to September 6, 2014, using MeSH and EMTREE headings with free text combinations.. Randomized trials comparing vitamin C against placebo were included. No exclusions were made during the selection of eligible trials on the basis of patient age, sex, fracture severity, or fracture treatment.. Two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and applied the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.. Heterogeneity was quantified using the χ test and the I statistic. Outcome data were combined with a random effects model.. Across 3 trials (n = 890) of patients with distal radius fractures, vitamin C did not reduce the risk for CRPS (risk ratio = 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-1.13; I = 70%). This result was confirmed in sensitivity analyses to test the importance of missing data because of losses to follow-up under varying assumptions. Heterogeneity was explained by diagnostic criteria, but not regimen of vitamin C or fracture treatment.. The evidence for vitamin C to prevent CRPS in patients with distal radius fractures fails to demonstrate a significant benefit. The overall quality of the evidence is low, and these results should be interpreted in the context of clinical expertise and patient preferences.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Causality; Comorbidity; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Pain Measurement; Radius Fractures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Treatment Outcome; Wrist Injuries

The complex regional pain syndrome is a neuroinflammatory pathology that affects the central and peripheral nervous system, characterized by disproportional pain in relation to the trauma experimented by the patient. It has been proposed that vitamin C could prevent the development of this syndrome in patients with limb trauma and surgery. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified two systematic reviews that indentified four primary studies, including one randomized controlled trial. We generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded it is uncertain whether vitamin C prevents complex regional pain syndrome because the certainty of the evidence is very low.. El síndrome de dolor regional complejo es una patología neuroinflamatoria que afecta tanto al sistema nervioso central como al periférico, y se caracteriza por dolor desproporcionado en relación al trauma experimentado por el paciente. Se ha planteado que el uso de vitamina C podría prevenir la aparición de este síndrome en pacientes con trauma y cirugía de extremidades. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos dos revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen sólo un estudio controlado aleatorizado. Realizamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que existe incertidumbre sobre si la vitamina C podría ser útil en la prevención del síndrome de dolor regional complejo en estos pacientes porque la certeza de la evidencia es muy baja.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Extremities; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Wounds and Injuries

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the use of vitamin C to prevent complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). We hypothesized that the evidence for supporting this recommendation is weak, based on epidemiological principles of association and causality. The specific aim of this project was to test the validity of this recommendation.. We conducted a literature review to retrieve articles reporting on the use of vitamin C to prevent CRPS. Data collected included sample size, study design type, dose of vitamin C used, and outcome measures of association expressed as relative risk (RR) and odds ratio. We then applied Hill criteria to evaluate the relationship between vitamin C and CRPS.. We obtained 225 articles from the database search. After the exclusion of duplicates, unrelated articles, editorial letters, and commentaries, we found 4 articles and 1 systematic review relevant to our topic. Six of the 9 Hill criteria were met, and an earlier meta-analysis showed a quantified reduction in CRPS risk. However, criteria like biological plausibility, specificity, and coherence were not met.. The number of causal/association criteria met was adequate to support the scientific premise of the effect of vitamin C in preventing CRPS after DRF. Furthermore, vitamin C administration is of relatively low cost and has few complications unless administered in large doses. Owing to sufficient epidemiological evidence availability, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommendation of vitamin C to prevent CRPS has practical merit.. Therapeutic II.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Radius Fractures; Reproducibility of Results; Vitamins

Systemic vitamin C supplementation after wrist fracture has been suggested to reduce the incidence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of regional vitamin C in Bier block in the early phase of fracture on CRPS occurrence following surgery for distal radius fractures.. Seventy-four patients with isolated extra-articular distal radius fracture with the plan of fixation under Bier block were enrolled. Patients were assigned randomly into two groups: receiving either 500 mg vitamin C or sterile water as a Bier block adjuvant. Both groups received 500 mg of oral vitamin C for six weeks. The patients were evaluated for CRPS signs and symptoms at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks post-surgery.. The overall incidence of CRPS 12 weeks after surgery in the vitamin C group was significantly less than the controls (22.9% vs 45.5%, p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant contribution in predicting the incidence of CRPS came from the intervention variable (OR 0.26, CI95% 0.08-0.85; P = 0.027).. The findings suggest that adding vitamin C 500 mg to the local anesthetic in Bier block significantly reduces the incidence of CRPS following distal radius fractures.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Incidence; Radius Fractures; Risk Factors

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or algodystrophy, is a condition with chronic pain condition following a trauma or surgery. The physiopathology of this syndrome remained incompletely known. Due to the lack of effective curative treatment, prevention of this complication is important. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing this complication.. Between January 2018 and July 2019, we conducted a prospective randomized study on the efficiency of vitamin C (one group with and one without vitamin C) on prevention of CRPS risk in patients operated in our institution with TKA. Patients with a VAS pain score > 4 performed a three-phase bone scintigraphy. The diagnostic of CRPS was made by using the Budapest criteria associated to a bone scintigraphy. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients were included in the vitamin C group, 139 in the control group without vitamin C. For the entire cohort, the prevalence of complex regional pain syndrome was 7.9% (23 of 292). The prevalence of complex regional pain syndrome was 3.9% (six of 153) in the vitamin C group and 12.2% (seventeen of 139) in the control group (p = 0.008). After multivariate regression, vitamin C was found to be an independent preventive factor of CRPS and there was a significant difference between the vitamin C group and the control group (relative risk, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.8; p = 0.015).. Taking 1 g per day of vitamin C during 40 days after a TKA reduces the risk of CRPS.

Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Pain; Prospective Studies

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after foot and ankle surgery has a significant impact on the ability to walk. As the symptomatic treatment of this disaster complication is poor and has low efficacy, a preventive treatment would be beneficial. Vitamin C has been reported to be efficient in preventing CRPS in elective scheduled surgery. Few authors explored this efficiency in foot and ankle surgery. We, therefore, evaluated the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing this complication after foot and ankle surgeries for both trauma and elective surgery.. Between January 2018 and December 2019, 329 patients were included in the study. We conducted a prospective randomized study on the efficiency of vitamin C (one group with and one without vitamin C) to prevent CRPS risk in patients operated in our institution on foot or ankle surgery. The incidence of CRPS after foot and ankle surgery was evaluated in both groups; the diagnostic of CRPS was made using the Budapest criteria associated with three-phase bone scintigraphy.. Among the 329 patients included in the study (232 women and 97 men), 121 patients were included in the vitamin C group and 208 in the control group (without vitamin C). Vitamin C was statistically linked with a decreased risk of CRPS (OR 0.19; CI 95% from 0.05 to 0.8; p = 0.021). Alcoholism and cast immobilization were increased risks factors of CRPS (respectively p = 0.001 and p = 0.034).. Taking 1 g per day of vitamin C during 40 days after a foot or ankle surgery reduces the risk of CRPS.

Topics: Ankle; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Elective Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether postoperative administration of vitamin C (VC) is associated with reduced risk of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) after subacromial shoulder surgery (SaSS). The secondary objective of the study was to identify risk factor for the development of CRPS-I after SaSS.. A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate 542 patients undergoing SaSS from January 2015 to December 2016. The cohort was divided into two groups based on VC administration [Group I (no VC) and Group II (500 mg/day oral VC for 50 days postoperatively)]. The relationship between VC administration and development of CRPS-I was assessed. Demographics, preoperative clinical parameters, and operative variables were evaluated to determine their effect on the incidence of CRPS-I.. A total of 267 patients (Group II) undergoing SaSS received VC, and 266 patients (Group I) did not. The incidence of CRPS-I was significantly different between two groups (36(13%) vs 18(7%), p = 0.009). Multivariable regression, however, demonstrated that VC reduced the risk of CRPS-I after SaSS by > 50% (aOR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.27-0.91). Patients undergoing open surgery (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.2-4.0) were more likely to develop CRPS-I postoperatively. Higher preoperative Constant score (aOR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.98) was associated with lower risk for CRPS-I development.. The present study found that VC administered prophylactically for 50 days postoperatively is effective in preventing CRPS-I development after SaSS. CRPS-I is a common complication following SaSS, especially in the setting of an open approach. The authors recommend preventive management with VC and arthroscopic approaches when possible for SaSS.. Retrospective comparative study.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Care; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder Joint; Vitamins

The current recommendation is to use daily doses of vitamin C to prevent the occurrence of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following a distal radius fracture. The study is a synthesis of the four primary studies that examine this issue. These studies have been previously examined in the meta-analysis literature. The incidence of CRPS is lower in patients treated with the vitamin C protocol compared with the control. The significance of the difference varies from

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Cohort Studies; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Incidence; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Radius Fractures; Risk Factors

Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Metatarsal Bones; Pain Management; Physical Therapy Modalities; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Radius Fractures; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Radius Fractures; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Vitamins

The complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is indeed a very complex pain situation. The treatment of CRPS is challenging. Patients with an acute CRPS or a CRPS in the past, who have to undergo surgery, provide a special situation. Recommendations for the management of such patients will be described in the article. High degree of evidence exists for high doses of vitamin C to prevent the development of a CRPS in trauma patients.

Topics: Anesthetics, Local; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Humans; Pain, Postoperative; Perioperative Care

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is the complication of some injuries, such as a fracture, which affects the distal end of the injured extremity characterized by pain, allodynia, hyperalgesia, edema, abnormal vasomotor and sudomotor activity, movement disorders, joint stiffness, regional osteoporosis, and dystrophic changes in soft tissue. Exact pathogenic mechanism of CRPS is still unclear. Suggested pathogenic mechanisms of CRPS are evaluated in four major groups consist of classic inflammation, hypoxic changes and chronic ischemia, neurogenic inflammation and sympathetic dysregulation. All of these suggested pathogenic mechanisms produced by inflammatory cytokines mediated by nuclear factor kappaB. Vitamin K is a family of structurally similar, fat-soluble, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinones. Vitamin K exerts a powerful influence on bone formation, especially in osteoporosis. Fat in bone stores some vitamin K. Gamma-carboxylation of the glutamic acid in osteocalcin is vitamin K dependent. Osteocalcin plays a role in calcium uptake and bone mineralization. Osteocalcin, the most abundant non-collagenous protein in bone, is produced by osteoblasts during bone matrix formation. Because osteocalcin is not carboxylated in case of vitamin K deficiency at the distal site of fracture or injury, it cannot bind to hydroxyapatite causing osteoporosis. Fracture starts a local inflammatory process in the fracture site and adjacent tissues as seen in CRPS. Vitamin K was shown to suppress the inflammatory cytokines and NF-kappaB and prevent oxidative, hypoxic, ischemic injury (which have key role in both initiation and progression of CRPS) to oligodendrocytes and neurons. We hypothesized that vitamin K has a key role and modulatory effect in CRPS pathogenesis. Vitamin K deficiency at the distal site of fracture occurs because of diminished and slowed circulation, local immobilization after extremity fracture or injury and use of vitamin K store at the distal site of the injured extremity and in the circulation for fracture healing and bone remodelling. In case of vitamin K deficiency at the distal site of fracture, classic inflammation starts with fracture at the distal tissues could not be restricted and classic inflammation, hypoxic changes, chronic ischemia, neurogenic inflammation, sympathetic dysregulation, which are the pathogenic mechanisms of CRPS, and patchy osteoporosis which occur due to high level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin could not be prevented. Br

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Blood Coagulation; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Cytokines; Fracture Healing; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; NF-kappa B; Osteocalcin; Osteogenesis; Osteoporosis; Vitamin K

Patients with trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis stage II or III (according to Dell) and no benefit from non-operative therapy were selected to undergo joint arthroplasty. We performed 32 arthroplasties for first carpometacarpal arthritis in 27 patients using a cementless total trapeziometacarpal joint prosthesis. We undertook a prospective cohort study and evaluated the clinical results of total joint arthroplasty after an average of 39 months. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, daily activities (ADL) and satisfaction were taken pre- and postoperatively, and the first web opening was measured. First web opening improved significantly as did pain, ADL and patient satisfaction. Surgery of arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint can be complicated by complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I. In all our patients Vitamin C 500 mg daily was started two days before surgery and continued during 50 days. There were no cases of CRPS under vitamin C prophylaxis. These results justify further investigation in a randomised clinical trial.

Topics: Arthroplasty; Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Female; Humans; Male; Metacarpal Bones; Metacarpophalangeal Joint; Osteoarthritis; Prospective Studies; Trapezoid Bone; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Vitamins; Wrist Injuries