Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) causes chronic, often severe pain in an arm or leg that typically develops after injuring the limb. Any type of damage could trigger CRPS, including:

  • Ligament Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Burns
  • Medical Procedures

The pain stems from your nervous system, causing the affected limb’s nerves to behave abnormally. Complex regional pain syndrome affects some people after such injuries, and not others, but the reason isn’t entirely clear.

There could be a connection to your immune system, as the nerve overreaction occurring with CRPS has similarities to immune system problems like allergies. Your genes are likely to have an influence as well. Call our office at (541) 780-6654 to schedule your appointment.

What symptoms does CRPS cause?

Pain is the chief symptom of CRPS. Patients report feeling a burning pain in the affected arm or leg that may spread over time. Other symptoms include:

  • “Pins-and-needles” sensations  
  • Skin changing color
  • Abnormal sweating
  • Change in your hair or nails
  • Problems moving your limb

Your skin might feel warmer or cooler than usual, and it could become so sensitive that the slightest touch causes pain.

Women are more at risk of developing CRPS than men. The condition most commonly affects people aged 20-35, although it can also occur in children.

    How is CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) treated?

    Currently, there’s no cure for CRPS, but expert treatment at Pacific Sports & Spine can provide relief from your symptoms. Some of the options that they offer include:

      • Physical Therapy:  Highly beneficial for promoting healing and retaining flexibility in the affected limb. Keeping your muscles and joints exercised stops them from getting weak. Mirror therapy may be used to change your brain’s perceptions about the affected limb and trick it into thinking that it is healthy and pain free.
      • Injections  An injection of local anesthetic (nerve block) causes temporary numbness in the affected arm or leg that provides relief from the continual pain.
      • Implantable Devices: When other methods aren’t providing enough pain relief, you might benefit from having a spinal cord stimulator and Dorsal Root Ganglion stimulation (DRG) from Abbott, that your provider at Pacific Sports & Spine implants under your skin. The stimulator incorporates neuromodulation techniques to relieve pain in your extremities affected by CRPS.

    If you have arm or leg pain, or other complex regional pain syndrome symptoms, let Pacific Sports & Spine ease your suffering. Call (541) 780-6654 and schedule your appointment today.