Erythromelalgia after meniscus operation

Erythromelalgia (EM) is a paroxysmal painful hyperemia of the skin of the extremities. The primary form of EM can occur sporadically or be familial with autosomal dominant inheritance. The cause for the chronic pain has been shown to be a hereditary ion channel disorder. Secondary EM is the predominant form in adulthood. The pathogenesis has still not been clarified. The disease can have a sporadic, undulating, acute and chronic course. The diagnosis is based solely on the patient history and the characteristic clinical symptoms of paroxysmal painful redness of the hands or feet. Comprehensive interdisciplinary diagnostics by exclusion are necessary. A definitive pharmacotherapy is not known. Medications which can be effective against neuropathies are given priority over vasoactive treatment. Treatment of EM is based on the prevention and management of outbreaks. For those affected the main priority is changes in life style, to live in a cooler environment and to reduce the mechanical strain on the feet. When outbreaks occur anything can be employed, which by moderate means results in a dry cooling effect. © 2016, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.