Physiotherapy Versus Calcitonin Spray-Added Physiotherapy for Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a common complication in orthopedic surgeries. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of calcitonin in the treatment of patients with CRPS.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 30 CRPS patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: 16 patients were only treated with physiotherapy and 14 with physiotherapy and calcitonin spray. They were matched according to age, sex, and type of fractures. Changes in range of motion, swelling, and pain were compared between the 2 groups after the fourth month.
Results: No significant difference was obtained between the 2 groups in motion range amelioration and swelling decrease. However, the patients in physiotherapy and calcitonin group had less pain than the control group. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in pain after the first and second months of treatment. However, patients’ pain showed a significant difference at the end of the third and fourth months (44.3 ± 10.5 vs. 56.7 ± 13.8) (P = 0.01). There was no side effect in calcitonin group.
Conclusions: The use of calcitonin spray with physical therapy efficiently reduced CRPS patients’ pain. It also reduced the need for analgesic consumption. However, it did not affect the functional outcome.