Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Understanding Treatment & Management

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition causing severe burning and throbbing in an arm or leg and occasionally other parts of the body. There is no cure; the goal of treatment is pain management.

Causes

• The exact cause of CRPS is unknown; however, the onset of symptoms has been connected with illnesses and injuries.

Symptoms

• Acute, intensifying pain is the most common symptom of CRPS. Other symptoms are burning and skin sensitivity; changes in skin color and temperature; changes in hair and nail growth; joint stiffness, swelling and damage; and muscle spasms, weakness and atrophy.

Treatment

• Treatment at the onset of symptoms offers the best results for symptom improvement and remission of CRPS. Combination therapies have been found to be most effective.

Medications

• The severity of symptoms determines the selection of medications. Aspirin and ibuprofen treat pain and inflammation; antidepressants and anticonvulsants are used for pain from nerve damage; and corticosteroids reduce inflammation.

Alternative Therapies

• Physical therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, nerve stimulation, biofeedback, topical analgesics and hot and cold compresses are alternative therapies used in conjunction with medications to treat CRPS.