BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a central nervous system disorder with sympathetic dysfunction. Its pathophysiology is not clear. There is peripheral inflammation and hypoxia. Pain distresses patients. These case reports aimed at evaluating topic 4% lidocaine during occupational therapy of outpatients with CRPS. CASE REPORTS: Participated in this study five patients aged above 18 years, with upper limb CRPS types I and II, who were evaluated in six visits with an interval of seven days. In the first, they were medicated with gabapentin and in the other five the dose was increased. As from the second visit, topic 4% lidocaine was applied approximately 30 minutes before rehabilitation exercises. Four patients had CRPS type I. In decreasing order, referred symptoms were: sting, burning, allodynia, shock and paresthesia. All patients had edema and motor dysfunction. Topic 4% lidocaine allowed patients to perform the exercises proposed by the occupational therapist, in outpatient regimen, with significant pain intensity improvement. CONCLUSION: Topic 4% lidocaine allowed rehabilitation with significant pain intensity improvement.
Complex regional pain syndrome; Local anesthetics; Occupational therapy
