Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that usually involves intense pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. It may occur after nerve or tissue damage caused by injury or disease.
Causes and Symptoms
The main symptom of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is pain and skin sensitivity in an extremity after damage to the area. It can be mild and short-term, or it may become an intense, burning pain that causes long-term disability. It can occur with marked changes in skin temperature, appearance, or texture. People suffering from CRPS may experience swelling and stiffness in joints and decreased mobility in the affected extremity.
Causes
The characteristic of CRPS that distinguishes it from other conditions is that usually an individual has suffered from damage due to disease or injury in the affected area. Doctors have not yet found a specific cause for the condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
There is not a single diagnostic test to confirm CRPS. Your doctor will review your medical history, signs, and symptoms, and may order tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may order an MRI or bone scan, which can sometimes identify CRPS-related changes in the bones.
Treatment
Medication
Physical Therapy
Sympathetic Nerve Block
Spinal Cord Stimulation