Ketamine infusion therapy in an elderly patient with complex regional pain syndrome and major depression

Parinda Parikh; Jeremy Kays; Zoe Gellert; Shaurya K. Singh; Alisha A. Alphonse; Himani J. Suthar; Aatish D. Bhatta; Arnesh Shukla; Parthiv Pansuriya; Arushi K. Chandra; Mahiya Buddhavarapu; Mina Oza

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252868

Authors

Parinda Parikh Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical School, White Plains, New York, USA
Jeremy Kays Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies
Zoe Gellert Tulane University, New York, USA
Shaurya K. Singh Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Maharashtra, India
Alisha A. Alphonse St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
Himani J. Suthar GMERS Medical College and Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Aatish D. Bhatta KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal
Arnesh Shukla St. Martinus University, Willemstad, Curacao
Parthiv Pansuriya Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat, India
Arushi K. Chandra New York University, New York, USA
Mahiya Buddhavarapu University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Mina Oza 2ND ARC Associates, White Plains, New York, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252868

Keywords:

Complex regional pain syndrome, Ketamine infusion, Major depression, Chronic pain, Elderly patient, Culturally sensitive care

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain disorder that severely affects mobility and quality of life. This case report describes an 86-year-old man who has a long-standing history of CRPS-related back and leg pain. Traditional treatments, including opioids and duloxetine, did not improve his symptoms, and due to religious beliefs restricting specific interventions, standard hospital care was limited. Given the severity of his symptoms and the refractory nature of his condition, an intravenous ketamine infusion was recommended to improve pain and comorbid depressive symptoms. Following one treatment, the patient exhibited immediate and substantial improvements in pain intensity, mood, and mobility. This case accentuates the importance of culturally sensitive, patient-centered care and suggests the role of ketamine in treating CRPS when traditional therapies are ineffective.

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Author Biographies

Parinda Parikh, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical School, White Plains, New York, USA

Dr. Parinda Parikh

Corresponding Author

Department of Psychiatry

Weill Cornell Medical School

White Plains, New York, USA

Jeremy Kays, Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies

First Author

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