Clinical Diagnosis and Management of CRPS for the Sports Medicine Chiropractor

Course overview

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is an often overlooked pathology in musculoskeletal care. This focused 45-minute lecture equips sports medicine chiropractors with the essential knowledge and clinical skills to confidently identify CRPS in athletic, active populations, and post-operative patients. Participants will learn to recognize the key clinical features of CRPS, accurately differentiate between CRPS Type I and Type II, and distinguish the warm and cold phenotypes through targeted history-taking and a physical examination guided by the Budapest Criteria. Attendees will gain practical tools to perform an effective evaluation that rules in or rules out CRPS while identifying CRPS Not Otherwise Specified when criteria are not fully met. By the end of the session, doctors will understand how to apply this knowledge to guide timely referrals, set realistic expectations, and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary management strategies for optimal patient outcomes.