Complexregional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare chronic pain syndrome that affects the arm or leg after trauma or surgery. It is characterized by a burning pain in the leg, foot, hand or arm. Other symptoms include sensitivity and temperature changes in the skin. (more on CRPS)

Type 1 CRPS, also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, occurs when the initial injury did not damage the nerves in the affected limb. A recent study, appearing in Foot and Ankle Surgery (2009; 15(4): 179-82) looked at 392 surgical patients and the effect vitamin C supplementation had on the development of type 1 CRPS. Before the foot or ankle surgery, the subjects received either 1000 mg per day or a placebo prior to surgery. After surgery, 9.6% of the patients in the control group developed type 1 CRPS compared to only 1.7% of the patients in the group receiving the vitamin C supplementation.

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