Post-Traumatic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I in an Elderly Diabetic Female Following Early Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger: A Case Report from Rural Nepal

Background : Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a challenging neuropathic pain disorder often following trauma or surgery, with disproportionate pain and autonomic changes. Early identification is essential, particularly in elderly diabetic patients, where overlapping neuropathies can obscure diagnosis. Case Presentation : We report a case of a 74-year-old woman from rural Nepal presenting with chronic left-hand pain initially diagnosed as trigger finger and early carpal tunnel syndrome, which evolved into CRPS Type I. Despite conservative therapy, her symptoms progressed to severe allodynia, swelling, and trophic changes. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical findings, nerve conduction study, and infrared thermography. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early recognition and multimodal management of CRPS in elderly diabetic patients, particularly in low-resource settings where delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible disability.