Ketamine Infusion for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treatment: A Narrative Review.
Alan D. Kaye, Brynne E Tynes, Coplen D Johnson, Bryan C Strong, Brennan M Abbott, Jelena Vučenović, Omar Viswanath, Charles J Fox, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sam N Amarasinghe, Saurabh Kataria, Sahar Shekoohi
Current Pain and Headache Reports January 14, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-025-01360-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine infusion |
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Narrative review Pain management Ketamine therapy Crps treatment Neuropathic pain relief Chronic pain disorders |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Ketamine infusions appear to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory CRPS, improving pain and mobility, though more research is needed on optimal dosing and duration. |
Abstract
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder characterized by pain disproportionate to the inciting event that is constant for an extended duration. Numerous treatment options for this condition have been explored with unsatisfactory results in many cases. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist typically used as an anesthetic and analgesic, presents a promising potential treatment for CRPS in patients who fail to respond to traditional therapies. Numerous studies report significant improvement in the degree of pain, mobility of extremities, and other parameters after ketamine infusion in patients with CRPS. Although adverse effects were not reported often, some subjects experienced nausea, vomiting, headache or psychotropic or psychomimetic symptoms which could be mitigated with cessation of the drug. Although more research is needed to determine optimal dosing and duration, ketamine seems to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory cases of CRPS. The present investigation summarizes existing knowledge and research surrounding ketamine infusions for CRPS to provide a well-rounded depiction of advantages and disadvantages for physicians who may be considering it for patients with this challenging and complex condition.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms | 2018 | Review | |
| Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant | 2018 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings) | 2013 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Adverse Effects Associated With High-Dose Ketamine Infusions For Refractory Pain And Psychiatric Conditions. Current Pain and Headache Reports June 19, 2025
- Efficacy of Ketamine Infusion for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Patients with Chronic Pain: a Narrative Review. Current Pain and Headache Reports December 15, 2025
- A Promising Route for Established Indications: A Systematic Review of Nebulized Ketamine in Pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports April 30, 2025