Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can occur at any age, but usually affects men and women in their early- to mid-forties, with women more likely to be impacted. CRPS is chronic arm or leg pain that develops after an injury, stroke, surgery, or heart attack. The pain is localised and often disproportionate to the initial trauma.
Causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
There are two types of CRPS:
The cause of CRPS is unknown, however, in almost every case, no matter how severe, the pain originates after an injury or trauma. Potential causes are:
- Prolonged immobilisation, such as being casted
- Burns
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Surgery, even as minor as being stuck with a needle
- Bone breaks and fractures
Symptoms
Regardless the severity of the initial injury, CRPS symptoms may not present themselves right away. In every case, symptoms include a tingling or burning sensation in the lower and/or upper extremities. The pain may affect the entire leg or arm or may only influence one toe or finger. Other symptoms of CRPS include:
Joint stiffness
Skin hypersensitivity
Skin texture change
Difficulty moving the affected area
Hair and nail growth pattern disruption
Atrophy of muscles
Swelling in and around joints
Decreased range of motion
Allodynia, or pain in the opposite limb
Diagnosis
There is no clear-cut test to diagnose CRPS. However, your pain management specialist will examine your medical history and may perform an MRI to detect changes in bone or circulation. Your pain management specialist will also perform tests to rule out other possible conditions.
Possible Treatments
Treatment options for CRPS often begin with OTC pain relief medication or prescription medications, such as pain relievers, corticosteroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or bone loss medications. Physical therapy, psychotherapy, and biofeedback are additional common treatment options, but perhaps the most effective treatment option available in the United States is dorsal root ganglion stimulation.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is a surgical procedure in which a pulse generator with leads attached is placed underneath the skin in either the abdomen or the buttocks. The leads send tiny electrical pulses to the dorsal root ganglion, the location in the spinal cord through which every sensory perception must pass, and thus, block the pain influenced by CRPS.
Other interventional pain management treatments are:
