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CRPS Budapest Criteria — FRCA Final MCQ

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ModeratePain MedicineCRPS Budapest CriteriaFRCA Final

A 50-year-old woman (ASA II) presents to the chronic pain clinic with a 1-year history of constant burning pain in her right foot following ankle surgery. The foot is swollen, warm, red, and exquisitely tender to light touch. X-ray shows patchy osteoporosis. Active and passive range of motion is reduced. These features are consistent with which Budapest criteria diagnosis?

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Correct answer: B — Charcot arthropathy

The Budapest criteria for CRPS require: (1) continuing pain disproportionate to the inciting event, (2) at least one symptom in three of four categories: sensory (hyperaesthesia/allodynia), vasomotor (temperature/colour asymmetry), sudomotor/oedema (oedema/sweating changes), motor/trophic (weakness/tremor/dystonia/trophic changes), (3) at least one sign in two of four categories at evaluation, and (4) no other diagnosis better explains the findings. CRPS type I (previously reflex sympathetic dystrophy) has no identifiable nerve injury. Type II (causalgia) has a defined nerve injury. This patient meets Budapest criteria for CRPS type I.

Reference: Faculty of Pain Medicine – 2023 – CRPS guidelines; Harden RN – 2010 – Budapest criteria validation