Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: General Overview

Author: Molly Maxim
Published: 2012/01/09 - Updated: 2019/01/07
Topic: Pain: Acute and Chronic - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Complex regional pain syndrome CRPS is a form of chronic pain that can affect any part of the body but usually an arm or leg.

Introduction

Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a form of chronic pain that can affect any part of the body; in most instances, however, CRPS affects an arm or leg. The pain experienced by CPRS sufferers can be incredibly intense, leaving many with the condition unable to work.

Focus

Since CRPS is not well understood, many CRPS cases go unrecognized. For anyone who is personally suffering from unexplained pain or has a loved one experiencing pain issues following a workplace injury, a basic understanding of CRPS can be extremely beneficial.

What Causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Approximately 90 percent of CRPS cases occur following an injury that did not directly damage the nerves in the limb that ends up in pain. This type of CRPS was formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

The other type of CRPS, once called causalgia, stems from a direct nerve injury to the affected area.

Crush injuries, fractures, amputations, surgeries, heart attacks and infections can all lead to CRPS. But, CRPS sometimes appears without an obvious injury, and it is even thought to be precipitated by emotional stress.

When there is an initial injury, the pain experienced by the CRPS sufferer is often far more severe than that accompanying the original damage.

Doctors are not certain why injuries sometimes trigger CRPS. A leading theory is that CRPS results from miscommunication between the central and peripheral nervous systems and abnormal inflammatory responses.

A Wide Range of Symptoms

• Sensitivity to touch or cold, burning or throbbing pain coupled with swelling (typically in an extremity) or changes in hair and nail growth may all be signs of CRPS.
• Variations in skin condition - from sweaty to icy, from nearly white to mottled red or blue, from a standard texture to thin or shiny - are also CRPS hallmarks.
• Finally, joint stiffness and swelling, muscles spasms or weakness and impaired mobility in the affected body part could indicate CRPS.

Underlying all other symptoms, generally the longer CRPS goes untreated, the more intense and widespread pain becomes.

New Insights Into CRPS a Chronic Pain Condition - Researchers suggest CRPS might involve changes in the way that the brain processes visual information - University of Bath