Zoledronic acid to treat complex regional pain syndrome type I in adult: case report

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a difficult to treat disabling disease. Positive results with bisphosphonates in CRPS type I patients refractory to multimode therapy have been described. This study aimed at reporting the use of zoledronic acid in CRPS type I patient refractory to traditional therapy. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 31 years old, with CRPS for 16 years, refractory to multiprofessional and multimode treatment. Due to persistence of symptoms, zoledronic acid administration was proposed with effective control of symptoms and without adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Zoledronic acid was effective to treat CRPS type I refractory to conventional treatment.