Which assessment finding is most consistent with complex regional pain syndrome in the hand?

• A. Normal skin temperature and sweating
• B. Shiny skin with severe swelling only during daytime
• C. Shiny skin, swelling, and hypersensitivity with sweating and hair growth changes
• D. Uniform edema without skin changes

Answer: (C)

CRPS in the hand presents with a mix of autonomic, sensory, and trophic changes. The most characteristic finding combines skin changes, swelling, and altered sensory and autonomic signs: shiny skin, edema, hypersensitivity (allodynia/hyperalgesia), plus changes in sweating and hair growth. This pattern reflects the abnormal sympathetic activity that drives vasomotor and sudomotor changes, along with trophic alterations to skin and hair. Other patterns—normal skin temperature and sweating, or edema without skin or sensory changes—don’t capture the full mix of autonomic and trophic signs seen in CRPS.