Central Pain and Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

Pain following stroke is commonly reported but often incompletely managed, which prevents optimal recovery. This is in part due to the esoteric nature of post-stroke pain and its limited presence in current discussions of stroke management. Two of the major specific afflictions that affect patients with stroke who develop pain include central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Each disorder carries its own intricacies that require specific approaches to treatment and understanding. This chapter aims to present and clarify the major pain syndromes that affect patients who have suffered from stroke in order to aid in their diagnosis and treatment.