Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS, is a chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm or leg, often after an injury or trauma. Symptoms may include intense, continuous burning pain, often out of proportion to the initial injury, and can be accompanied by swelling, changes in skin color, temperature variations, and abnormal sweating.
There are two types of CRPS. CRPS-I occurs without a confirmed nerve injury. About 90% of people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome have type 1. CRPS-II follows a distinct nerve injury. Many cases of CRPS occur after a forceful trauma to an arm or a leg. This can include a crushing injury or a fracture. Other major and minor traumas — such as surgery, heart attacks, infections and even sprained ankles — also can lead to CRPS. The exact cause of CRPS is not fully understood, however is believed to involve dysfunction in the peripheral and central nervous systems. This leads to an exaggerated inflammatory response and altered pain processing. You may also experience muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and in severe cases, loss of function in the affected limb.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms and medical history. Early intervention is critical in managing CRPS and improving long-term outcomes. Treatment may encompass a multidisciplinary approach. This may involve medications, physical therapy, nerve blocks, and other means of pain management. In severe cases, treatments like spinal cord stimulation or sympathetic nerve blocks may be required.
We’re here for you
Call the specialists at University Pain and Spine Center, with convenient locations in New York and New Jersey. It is important to treat CRPS early, to avoid progression-related complications. Our physicians will evaluate whether you may have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Give us a visit to discuss treatment options that may be right for you.[/dm-ful]