Treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 in a pediatric patient using the lidocaine patch 5%: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Physical rehabilitation is an important component of long-term treatment. Unfortunately, patients with significant allodynia or hyperalgesia characteristic of CRPS-1 often have difficulty progressing through a physical therapy (PT) regimen. In most adults with CRPS-1, the treatment of choice is PO opioids.

OBJECTIVE: This article presents a case report of the use of the lidocaine patch 5%, a targeted peripheral analgesic, in a pediatric patient and its effects on reducing pain, improving the patient's overall attitude, and facilitating compliance with ongoing PT.

RESULTS: A 10-year-old girl developed CRPS-1 after arthroscopic surgery for a sprained ankle. Attempts at PT were unsuccessful due to inadequate pain relief from various treatment modalities. Therapy with the lidocaine patch 5% was initiated and resulted in significant pain relief, improvements in the patient's attitude, and progress with PT.

CONCLUSION: This case report of a child with CRPS-1 showed that therapy with lidocaine patch 5% may be efficacious in treating children with pain resulting from CRPS-1, thereby increasing the success of PT.