Breakthrough in the treatment of Sudeck's dystropy (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS)
Physicians from the Institute of Neuropathic Pain in the Netherlands reported this week a breakthrough in the treatment of severe pain in Sudeck's dystrophy. Sudeck's dystrophy, or Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe disorder, which can arise after a fracture or distorsion. After a freacture or distorsion a severe swelling can occur, which makes the use of the hand or foot impossible. Pain is severe and very difficult to treat.
The breakthrough has been discussed in an open access, international pain journal. Some years ago, it became clear that the cause of Sudeck is a neuro-inflammation. Physicians in the Netherlands developed a new treatment based on a natural, endogenous molecule and supplement, PeaPure. Palmitoylethanolamide is the active ingredient of this supplement.
The mechanism of action of palmitoylethanolamide has been discovered in 1993 by the Nobel prize laureate professor Rita Levi-Montalcini. Since 1993 this compound has been explored in many clinical trials, and proved to be effective and safe. Now it appears severe pains in Sudeck's dystrophy respond well to the treatment with palmitoylethanolamide. The severe edema (swelling) also vanished after treatment.
PeaPure thus appears to be a new, effective and safe treatment for Sudeck.
The article has appeared in the 'Journal of Pain Research' with the title:Treatment of chronic regional pain syndrome type 1 with palmitoylethanolamide and topical ketamine cream: modulation of nonneuronal cells.
Abstract: Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be intractable to treat and patients sometimes suffer for many years. Therefore, new treatment strategies are needed to alleviate symptoms in CRPS patients. This case report describes a patient suffering from intractable CRPS type 1 for 13 years. Due to her swollen painful feet and left knee she is wheelchair-bound. The combination of palmitoylethanolamide and ketamine 10% cream reduced her pain by more than 50% after 1 month of treatment, and a marked reduction in swelling and skin discoloration was noticed. Furthermore, she could walk independently again and she experienced no side effects.
Thus, palmitoylethanolamide and topical ketamine could be a combination therapy option for treating CRPS patient.
