CRPS and Pain Pumps for the PM&R Boards!

🎙️ PainExam Podcast Show Notes CRPS & Intrathecal Pain Pumps — High-Yield ABA Pain Board Review 🔥 Episode Overview In this episode of the PainExam Podcast, David Rosenblum reviews two essential ABA Pain Medicine Board topics: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems (Pain Pumps) This episode focuses on: High-yield board pearls Clinical decision-making Interventional treatment strategies Common exam pitfalls Whether you are preparing for the: ABA Pain Medicine Boards ABPM ABIPP FIPP —or looking to sharpen your interventional pain knowledge—this episode delivers practical and testable concepts. 🧠 Topic 1: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) 🔬 What is CRPS? CRPS is a chronic neuropathic pain condition characterized by: Disproportionate pain Autonomic dysfunction Sensory abnormalities Motor and trophic changes 📋 CRPS Types CRPS Type I No confirmed nerve injury Formerly "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" CRPS Type II Confirmed nerve injury Formerly "Causalgia" ⚠️ Pathophysiology CRPS involves: Peripheral sensitization Central sensitization Sympathetic dysfunction Neurogenic inflammation Cortical reorganization 🩺 High-Yield Clinical Features Burning pain Allodynia Hyperalgesia Temperature asymmetry Skin color changes Edema Weakness and trophic changes 📚 Budapest Criteria (BOARD FAVORITE) Diagnosis requires: Continuing pain disproportionate to injury Symptoms in ≥3 categories Signs in ≥2 categories 💊 Treatment First-Line Physical therapy (MOST important) Early mobilization Medications Gabapentin Pregabalin TCAs Interventional Sympathetic blocks Spinal cord stimulation 🚨 Board Pearls Early treatment improves outcomes CRPS may spread beyond the initial site Immobilization worsens symptoms 💉 Topic 2: Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems (Pain Pumps) 🔬 What Are Intrathecal Pumps? Intrathecal pumps deliver medications directly into the CSF, allowing: Lower systemic doses Better analgesia Reduced systemic side effects 🎯 Indications Failed back surgery syndrome Cancer pain Refractory neuropathic pain Severe chronic pain not responsive to conservative therapy 💊 Common Intrathecal Medications Opioids Morphine Hydromorphone Non-Opioid Ziconotide Other Baclofen (spasticity) ⚠️ Ziconotide — HIGH-YIELD BOARD PEARL Ziconotide: Blocks N-type calcium channels Does NOT cause respiratory depression Can cause psychiatric side effects ⚠️ Major Complications Infection Catheter malfunction Pump failure Withdrawal syndromes Catheter-tip granuloma formation 🚨 Granuloma Formation High-dose intrathecal opioids may cause: Catheter-tip inflammatory masses Cord compression Neurologic deficits 📋 Trialing Patients typically undergo: Bolus trial Continuous infusion trial before permanent implantation. 🎯 Board Pearls Ziconotide = no respiratory depression Pump failure can cause life-threatening withdrawal Granulomas are associated with opioid concentration 📝 High-Yield Board Takeaways CRPS Budapest criteria = critical Early PT = first-line Autonomic dysfunction = hallmark Intrathecal Pumps Ziconotide is highly testable Know granuloma risks Understand pump complications and withdrawal 🎓 Pain Board Prep Resources Prepare for your ABA Pain Medicine boards with: 👉 https://painexam.com 👉 https://nrappain.org 🏆 Why Physicians Choose NRAP Academy Comprehensive board prep High-yield MCQs Virtual Pain Fellowship Ultrasound-guided pain training Interventional pain education 🎤 Upcoming Training Join upcoming: Ultrasound-guided procedure workshops Regenerative medicine courses Pain board review sessions 📢Register today! If you're serious about: ✅ Passing your pain boards ✅ Mastering interventional pain ✅ Improving patient outcomes Subscribe to the PainExam Podcast and join the Virtual Pain Fellowship. 👉 https://nrappain.org 👉 https://painexam.com Reference  https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459151/