What Researchers Did
Czech clinicians reported on a patient who developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) twice, first in an ankle after a sprain and then in a wrist after a fracture 1.5 years later, treated with HBOT alongside pharmacotherapy both times.
What They Found
HBOT significantly improved functional outcomes in both CRPS episodes, reducing pain, swelling, colour changes, and restoring mobility. The case also highlighted that patients with a prior CRPS episode face higher risk of developing CRPS again after subsequent injuries.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadians with a history of CRPS should be counselled that future injuries or surgeries carry elevated risk of recurrence. When CRPS does recur, HBOT offers a documented option that reduced symptoms and restored function in this case.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
A single case report cannot establish treatment efficacy; spontaneous improvement in CRPS occurs and cannot be ruled out as an explanation for the recovery.