Type 2 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome following Needle Electromyography: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/rrnmf.v7i2_2026.25656Keywords:
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Electromyography, Iatrogenic, Nerve Injuries, Case ReportAbstract
Complex regional pain syndrome describes pain, typically in an extremity, that
is more prolonged or severe than expected given the nature of its triggering event. This
case report details a 43-year-old female who was initially seen for electrodiagnostic
study for right hand weakness with some numbness and tingling. One month later, the
patient was evaluated for significant increase in pain and swelling of right upper
extremity. At this time, patient met 4/4 on subjective Budapest criteria and at least the
sensory and sudomotor objective criteria and was diagnosed with CRPS type 2
(causalgia). To our knowledge, there have been no reports of CRPS or local nerve
injury as a direct result of needle EMG. This report highlights the novelty and perhaps
underreported nature of iatrogenic nerve injury secondary to needle EMG.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mary O'Rourke BA, Erica Seidel MD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
