Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
This is an uncommon but sometimes severe and debilitating condition that can be triggered by minor injuries such as fractures or sprains (or even occur spontaneously).
It is a difficult condition to manage and often requires the help of a team of doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists (multidisciplinary treatment). It has many features of neuropathic pain and may respond to some treatments for this type of pain. Best results are usually achieved if the condition is diagnosed and treated early.
It should be noted that CRPS is clinically diagnosed – no test can be done to confirm or rule out the diagnosis and patients who have had CRPS and recovered are at risk to have it again.
CRPS has been classified into two types:
- 90% of cases are CRPS 1
- Previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Follows a minor injury or can be spontaneous
- 10% of cases are CRPS 2
- Previously known as Causalgia
- Follows a demonstrable injury to a nerve
Possible causes of CRPS include:
- In most cases an injury involving a nerve has occurred
- Burning or pins and needles sensations
- Constant or intermittent changes in temperature and skin colour
- Swelling of the affected limb
- Loss of fine motor control
- Tremors or spasms Stiffness
- Psychological and physical therapy
- Graded Motor Imagery (including mirror box therapy)
- Nerve or ganglion blocks (sympathectomy)
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation.
QPain are actively involved in ongoing research and multi-centre clinical trials to ensure priority access to the latest therapies for our patients. We are at the forefront of advanced technology, including Spinal Cord Stimulation and Regenerative therapy, in the treatment of chronic pain.
CRPS is an uncommon condition which often leads to delayed diagnosis. It is thought to be caused by a dysfunction between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system that results in pain that is more intense and seemingly unrelated to an injury which may precede diagnosis.
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“It’s vital to work with a physician who specialises in pain medicine to help identify the source of your pain and develop the best method of treatment.”
Dr Frank Thomas