Treatment advice for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Alternatives
- Nervine herbs
- Analgesic herbs
What can I do to prevent Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
- Taking vitamin C after breaking wrist
- Early mobilisation after a stroke
Early medical intervention tailored to the individual has the best results.
The various medication used as treatment are:
- Pain killers
- Antidepressants and anticonvulsant
- Corticosteroids
- Bone-less medication
- Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication
- Intravenous Ketamine
- Therapies used for CRPS
- Heat therapy
- Topical analgesics
- Mirror therapy
- Acupuncture
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Transcutaceous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
- Biofeedback
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Intrathecal drug pumps – Intrathecal administration is a route of administration for drugs via an injection into the spinal canal, or into the subarachnoid space so that it reaches the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Unsure about a treatment?
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Advice for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
What causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
CRPS occurs in two types, with similar signs and symptoms, but different causes:
Type 1. Also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), this type occurs after an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in your affected limb. About 90% of people with CRPS have Type 1.
Type 2. Once referred to as causalgia, this type has symptoms similar to those of Type 1. But type 2 CRPS occurs after a distinct nerve.
- CRPS usually affects the arms or legs
- CRPS usually occurs after an accident or injury
- CRPS is uncommon and the cause is unclear although it’s thought that injury the peripheral and central nervous system injury
What are the symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
- Continuous burning or throbbing pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
- Sensitivity to touch or cold
- Swelling of the painful area
- Changes in skin temperature — alternating between sweaty and cold
- Changes in skin colour, ranging from white and blotchy to red or blue
- Changes in skin texture, which may become tender, thin or shiny in the affected area
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
- Muscle spasms, tremors, weakness and loss (atrophy)
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
- Symptoms can change and vary from person to person
- Over time, the affected limb can become cold and pale. It may undergo skin and nail changes as well as muscle spasms and tightening. Once these changes occur, the condition is often irreversible.
How is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) diagnosed?
Diagnosis is mainly based on medical history and physical examinations.
No one test can diagnose CRPS but the following procedures can give clues:
- Bone Scans
- Xrays
- Sweat production tests
- MRI Scan
