Physicians' assessments versus measured symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome type 1: presence and severity.

Objective: To assess the validity of physician's judgements of symptoms associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1.

Methods: The validity of physicians' judgments was assessed using measurements with regard to presence and severity of pain, temperature and volume asymmetry, and reduction in active range of motion in 66 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 outpatients. Measurements were performed using Visual Analog Scales and McGill (number of words chosen total) for pain, infrared thermography for temperature differences, water displacement volumeters for volume differences, and hand-held goniometers for active range of motion.