Leprosy: a precipitating factor for complex regional pain syndrome.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) usually develops after trauma. We are reporting the first case of CRPS with leprosy as a precipitating cause. A fifty-five-year male presented in the pain clinic with complaint of pain and swelling in the right arm. There was no history of trauma to the limb. On reviewing the history, patient was found to be on treatment for leprosy. X-ray of the right hand showed severe osteoporosis. A diagnosis of CRPS associated with leprosy was made. A diagnostic stellate ganglion block relived his pain completely. Thereafter patient is on treatment with tablet etoricoxib 90 mg once a day, gabapentin 100 mg twice a day and continuing to have 100% pain relief. The diagnosis of the type of CRPS was difficult in our case as no history of trauma or neurological injury was present. The presence of leprosy along with ulnar nerve thickening may be the precipitating factor for CRPS, this has not been reported so far in the literature. We managed the patient with sympathetic block along with medical therapy for chronic pain and leprosy chemotherapy.