CRPS occurs after surgery or an injury
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is a rare chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm or leg following trauma or surgery. It is characterized by persistent burning pain, hypersensitivity, and changes in skin temperature, color, or swelling.
A randomized, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American edition, 2007; 89(7):1424–1431) examined whether vitamin C supplementation influenced the risk of developing CRPS after wrist fractures. The study included 416 patients, who were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or vitamin C at doses of 200 mg/day, 500 mg/day, or 1,500 mg/day for 50 days following the injury.
In the placebo group, 10.1% of patients developed CRPS. In contrast, CRPS developed in 4.2% of patients receiving 200 mg/day of vitamin C. The incidence was even lower in the higher-dose groups, occurring in only 1.8% of patients receiving 500 mg/day and 1.7% of those receiving 1,500 mg/day.
Compared with placebo, low-dose vitamin C (200 mg/day) was associated with a 59% lower risk of developing CRPS, while higher doses (500 mg and 1,500 mg/day) were associated with an approximate 83% reduction in risk. These findings suggest that vitamin C status may be linked with CRPS risk following limb trauma, although additional research is needed to confirm mechanisms and broader applicability.
