Preoperative Predictors of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Outcomes in the 6 Months Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Stephen Bruehl*, Frederic T. Billings, Sara Anderson, Gregory Polkowski, Andrew Shinar, Jonathan Schildcrout, Yaping Shi, Ginger Milne, Anthony Dematteo, Puneet Mishra, R. Norman Harden

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This prospective observational study evaluated preoperative predictors of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) outcomes in the 6 months following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Participants were n = 110 osteoarthritis patients (64.5% female) undergoing unilateral TKA with no prior CRPS history. Domains of negative affect (depression, anxiety, catastrophizing), pain (intensity, widespread pain, temporal summation of pain [TSP]), pain interference, sleep disturbance, and pro-inflammatory status (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-a]) were assessed preoperatively. CRPS outcomes at 6-week and 6-month follow-up included the continuous CRPS Severity Score (CSS) and dichotomous CRPS diagnoses (2012 IASP criteria). At 6 months, 12.7% of participants met CRPS criteria, exhibiting a “warm CRPS” phenotype. Six-week CSS scores were predicted by greater preoperative depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, TSP, pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and TNF-a (P's < .05). Provisional CRPS diagnosis at 6 weeks was predicted by higher preoperative TSP, sleep disturbance, and TNF-a (P's < .05). CSS scores at 6 months were predicted by more widespread and intense preoperative pain, and higher preoperative TSP, pain interference, and TNF-a (P's < .01). CRPS diagnosis at 6 months was predicted only by more widespread and intense pain preoperatively (P's < .05). Risk for CRPS following TKA appears to involve preoperative central sensitization and inflammatory mechanisms. Preoperative negative affect is unlikely to directly influence long-term CRPS risk. Perspective: This article identifies preoperative predictors of CRPS features at 6 months following total knee arthroplasty, including more widespread pain and higher pain intensity, temporal summation of pain, pain interference, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Findings suggest the importance of central sensitization and inflammatory mechanisms in CRPS risk following tissue trauma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1712-1723
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Pain
Volume23
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Total knee arthroplasty
  • central sensitization
  • complex regional pain syndrome
  • inflammation
  • mechanisms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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