Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a relatively rare condition in which the patient experiences persistent pain in a part of the body – usually an arm or leg – for an unusual length of time following an injury, surgery, or cardiac event. The pain manifests in a way that is often not consistent with the nature or severity of the injury. The causes of CRPS are not fully understood but it is thought to be rooted in the nervous system.

What Are The Causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

While CRPS most often occurs following some identifiable injury or physical trauma, the exact cause has not been identified. It may result from nerve damage, inflammation, autoimmune reactions, or a combination of multiple factors affecting the body’s physical structures and nervous system.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS symptoms may vary in length and severity, but frequently involve a burning pain in a recently injured part of the body which becomes worse over time. Some patients will also experience unusual sensitivity to cold or swollen joints with reduced mobility in the affected joints. The pain may seem to bear little relationship to the original injury, spreading to other parts of the limb and sometimes even to the extremities on the opposite side of the body. There may also be weakness, numbness, or impaired mobility in the muscles of the affected limb.

What Are The Risk Factors of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

There may be a nervous system abnormality which makes you more susceptible to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but no genetic or environmental risk factors have been identified as yet. In the majority of cases, CRPS emerges in the wake of an injury or trauma to the affected area, or after a surgery. However, there have been instances where patients have developed CRPS symptoms which are not preceded by any identifiable injury.

How is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Diagnosed?

There is no 100% certain way to verify that your symptoms are caused by CRPS, but different tests can be administered to provide an educated basis for diagnosing the syndrome. Your doctor will review your symptoms and the nature of any recent injuries, as well as discussing any recent changes in feel or appearance you have noticed with regard to the affected area. Bone scans, MRIs, and x-rays may also be helpful in ruling out other disorders.

What Are Possible Treatments For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

There is no known cure for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, so treatment generally focuses on dealing with the symptoms, and can vary depending on the effects that CRPS has on the individual patient. Treatment options may include over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, steroid medications, and sympathetic nerve block therapy. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture have also been effective in reducing pain for some patients.

Depression and anxiety are also frequently associated with CRPS, and these mental side effects can be treated through interventions like psychotherapy and antidepressants.

Are There Preventative Steps or Measures To Avoid Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

The uncertainty around the precise causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome means that there is no surefire way to prevent it beyond taking regular safety measures to avoid being injured in the first place. Maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough exercise are also important to reduce your risk of stroke or heart attack, which have both been linked to the emergence of CRPS.

What Are The Risks If Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Is Left Untreated?

If not treated, the pain caused by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can continue to grow worse and affect other parts of the body. There is no known cure to CRPS, but your doctor can help treat pain symptoms to allow you to live a higher quality of life with less pain and better function.

Are There Other Related Conditions To Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS typically emerges in the wake of an injury to one of your limbs such as a sprain, muscle tear, or broken bone, or a cardiac event such as a heart attack or stroke.