Complex regional pain syndrome after hip replacement in a diabetic patient

We present a case report of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I following total hip replacement in a patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. CRPS type 1 as a primary complication following successful hip replacement surgery has not been reported before. We would suggest that CRPS may be a possible cause of persistent pain after successful total hip replacement and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the assessment of such patients, especially when investigation into persistent pain following hip arthroplasty remains inconclusive.