Algodystrophies, carpal tunnel syndrome

1. Big picture

This topic contains two very exam-relevant painful syndromes:

Condition	Core idea	Typical exam pattern
Algodystrophy = complex regional pain syndrome	Disproportionate regional pain with autonomic/trophic changes after trauma, fracture, surgery, stroke, or immobilization	Painful swollen warm/cold limb, allodynia, color/temperature change, stiffness, patchy osteopenia
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Median nerve compression at the wrist	Nocturnal numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle, radial half of ring finger; thenar weakness late

The key clinical contrast:

Algodystrophy = pain-regulation/autonomic disorder of a limb. Carpal tunnel syndrome = focal entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve.

The examiner wants you to recognize the pattern, exclude dangerous mimics, confirm when needed, and treat early before disability becomes fixed.