Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is pain that occurs from a malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system. CRPS may develop after an injury, surgery, or medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke. Currently, there are two classifications for this disease: CRPS-I and CRPS-II. Patients with confirmed nerve injuries are usually diagnosed with CRPS-II while those who are not may be considered “CRPS-I.” Treatment varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms, but patients with CRPS may benefit from a combination of conservative, alternative, and interventional pain therapies.
There is no known cause of CRPS, but physicians believe the condition may be attributed to an abnormal inflammation or nerve dysfunction in the body. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, more than 90% of CRPS cases are triggered by a clear history of trauma or injury, which may include fractures, sprains, strains, soft tissue injuries, burns, lacerations, or limb immobilizations. There is limited data supporting the idea that CRPS is influenced by genetics, but there have been rare occurrences of families affected by this condition. Occasionally, CRPS develops after an internal injury, blood vessel problem, entrapment of nerves, or infection.
The most notable symptom of CRPS is a constant, moderate to severe burning pain that resembles a “pins and needles” sensation. This kind of pain is generally experienced in a specific limb, such as the arm or leg. Other symptoms associated with CRPS often include intermittent changes in the temperature, texture, and color of a patient’s skin, as well as stiffness in affected joints, limited mobility in the affected body part, an abnormal sweating pattern, or changes in nail and hair growth. Pain may travel to various extremities on the opposite side of the body and cause poor blood flow and circulation.
There are a number of interventional pain therapies available to help manage pain caused by CRPS. Some of the most common treatment options include topical anesthetic creams, over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, oral corticosteroids, and Botox injections. For pain that is relatively severe, sympathetic nerve blocks, an intrathecal drug pump, or different types of neural stimulators such as spinal cord stimulation, may be recommended to patients. The team at Tulsa Pain may also advise several alternative, minimally invasive therapies to help control CRPS pain.
