Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that can develop after a trigger event. Trigger events include injuries, surgery, strokes, or even a heart attack.
Although there are many different trigger events, most people (75%) with CRPS develop the condition after an injury, such as a fall.
While your initial injury may heal, the pain associated with CRPS often lingers and can be far more intense than expected. It might even seem disproportionate to the original injury.
Because CRPS is considered a neurologic, orthopedic, and traumatological condition, it takes specialized care to manage. You’re not out of luck, though. Our team can diagnose and treat CRPS with interventional orthopedic treatment here at International Spine, Pain & Performance Center.
Below, our team explains everything you need to know about CRPS and how interventional orthopedic care can help you find the relief you need.
CRPS happens when your nervous system reacts abnormally to an injury. Instead of sending normal pain signals, your nerves become overly sensitive and amplify your pain.
This miscommunication affects how your brain and body communicate. You may notice symptoms in one limb, such as your arm, leg, hand, or foot, but the pain can spread to other areas.
There are two main types of CRPS:
This type of CRPS happens without confirmed nerve damage. This means that symptoms occur after a trigger event, but a specific damaged nerve can’t be confirmed.
This is the most common type of CRPS.
Type 2 is also known as causalgia and involves confirmed nerve injury. It most often occurs after a direct injury to a peripheral nerve, such as a fracture, surgery, or crush injury. Typically, it affects just one limb, usually your hand, foot, arm, or leg.
Type 2 is less common than type 1.
The pain from CRPS can vary, but most people describe it as burning, throbbing, or stabbing. You may also notice:
To compound matters, your symptoms may come and go or worsen over time. CRPS can resemble other conditions, such as arthritis, for example, so getting the correct diagnosis is essential before trying to manage your symptoms on your own.
At the International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, our pain specialists use a comprehensive diagnostic approach. This may include taking your detailed medical history and performing a physical exam, diagnostic imaging (such as MRI or bone scans) to rule out other issues, and nerve testing to evaluate the function of your sensory and motor nerves.
We may also use a diagnostic assessment called the Budapest Criteria. This is a specific checklist that looks at your pain and symptoms.
While there isn’t a single cure for CRPS, a combination of therapies can significantly reduce your pain and improve function.
Treatment may include:
Chronic pain, regardless of what’s causing it, can impact your mental health. For this reason, people with CRPS often benefit from behavioral and psychological support.
If you’re experiencing persistent, severe pain that seems out of proportion to an injury, or if your symptoms include swelling, color changes, or temperature differences between limbs, don’t wait to get evaluated.
At the International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, our goal is to help you manage pain effectively and get back to doing the things you love. Our team uses advanced diagnostics and evidence-based therapies to treat even the most complex pain conditions, including CRPS.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has CRPS, book an appointment today in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia, or Pulaski, Virginia.
