ID:16023 COVID-19 Mediated Exacerbation of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treated With Spinal Cord Stimulator

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition characterized by disproportionate pain to the inciting event, changes in sensation, autonomic abnormalities, and motor dysfunction, as defined by the Budapest criteria. It is difficult to treat, often requiring trials of multiple medications or more invasive measures such as a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) to manage symptoms. The onset of symptoms typically follows tissue damage and may be exacerbated by further injury or systemic stressors. One such stressor appears to be COVID-19 infection, which has already been implicated in cases of neuropathic pain. We present a case of a 60-year-old woman with CRPS type I status post SCS placement with a flare-up attributable to COVID-19 infection.