If a patient experiences neuropathic pain in the right foot after an ankle sprain, coupled with sympathetic symptoms, what type of CRPS are they likely experiencing?

The correct identification of the pain condition in this scenario hinges on understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and its classifications. The description of the patient experiencing neuropathic pain in the right foot following an ankle sprain, alongside sympathetic symptoms, indicates that they are likely experiencing Type I CRPS, previously referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

Type I CRPS typically arises after an inciting event, such as an injury or surgery, and is characterized by pain that is disproportionate to the initial injury, along with various sympathetic symptoms. These may include changes in skin temperature, color, and sweating in the affected area. The presence of neuropathic pain—pain that arises from damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system—aligns well with the characteristics of Type I CRPS, suggesting that the body’s response has become exaggerated beyond what would normally be expected after an injury like an ankle sprain.

By contrast, Type II CRPS, known as causalgia, usually refers to a situation where there is a specific nerve injury that can be identified. Types III and IV are not standard classifications for CRPS and are less commonly referenced in medical literature, making them less relevant to this scenario. Thus, the combination