Possible developing CRPS of the knee?

Hi all,

I am a new grad physical therapist and I was hoping that you could help me with some unusual symptoms after a knee overuse injury. In the beginning of July I overused my knee on a long hike which caused swelling and pain etc. I've had patellofemoral pain before, so I immediately went to PT and things seemed to be improving, swelling and pain gone within a week, trying to ease back into normal activities/hiking.

During the second month of rehab my activities gradually began causing increased knee pain, such as stairs, bending down, and I even had to stop doing the PT exercises because they were irritating my knee more and even making it swell from doing basic knee extension exercises. I tried to rest it as much as I could during this time and not do anything to irritate it/overdo it, along with high doses of ibuprofin. It became sensitive to light touch, such as from a pantleg or blanket, and another odd thing is that the pain moves around the knee area and sometimes moves above or below the knee, sometimes burning pain. Sometimes the area feels hot to the touch. I've found that if I put medical tape over the knee it feels better, perhaps from preventing anything from rubbing against it??

The pain/swelling is not severe like CRPS symptoms are usually described and I am able to walk normal distances without limping, but I wonder if this is a developing CRPS? If it is I want to catch it as early as possible-- any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Lauren

CRPS is just the CNS becoming hypersensitive to light touch and other sensations and interpreting this information as extremely painful. Has anyone discovered the exact mechanism of this condition as yet? Last time I looked into it the jury was still out on the matter.
I have heard a theory that suggests you overload the area with the exact same stimulus that will set it off, Light touch, hot & cold, pin pricks etc. and that this will desensitise the hypersensitivity. I have been told by a few different people that this treatment protocol has worked in decreasing the symptoms in their patients. A quick google search didnt find any papers or information on this theory, and obviously more research needs to be done on the matter and I find this condition in particular quite fascinating. Keep me updated as you progress with whatever treatment you use.

SST