An 86-year-old man with long-standing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) causing back and leg pain had not improved with opioids or duloxetine, and religious beliefs limited standard hospital care. After one intravenous ketamine infusion, he showed immediate and substantial improvements in pain intensity, mood, and mobility. The case highlights the importance of culturally sensitive, patient-centered care and suggests ketamine may help treat CRPS when traditional therapies fail.
Ketamine is used in anesthesia and mental health treatment for its rapid action and dissociative properties. It preserves stable vital signs during sedation and analgesia. Its influence on NMDA receptors and neurochemical systems is linked to antidepressant effects, especially for treatment-resistant depression. However, recreational abuse causes structural brain degeneration in areas related to memory, emotion, and motor control. In controlled settings, ketamine shows potential for addiction treatment by decreasing cravings and increasing abstinence rates. Toxicity risks include hallucinations, heart problems, urinary difficulties, and liver damage, especially with large or unsupervised doses. Cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms occur with prolonged use. Strict clinical supervision is needed.