Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und ihre Grenzgebiete
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Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb · Sep 2001
Clinical Trial[Experiences with calcitonin treatment of patients with type I complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS I--Sudeck disease)].
PURPOSE/METHODS/PATIENTS: Calcitonin is a common treatment in patients suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS I), although its effects are being controversially discussed. In a prospective study of 24 patients with CRPS I of the upper limb, we examined the tolerance of daily doses of 0.5 mg human calcitonin administered subcutaneously over 8 weeks. To assess the benefit of this therapy, the patients were clinically examined every second week. The results were compared to a consecutive group of 25 CRPS 1 patients who received only analgetics and physiotherapy. ⋯ The therapy with calcitonin has the burden of numerous unpleasant side-effects and causes only a slight therapeutic improvement. Thus, calcitonin must only be prescribed with reservations for patients suffering from CRPS I.