Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS.)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one limb, often following an injury, surgery, or trauma. It is characterized by severe, persistent pain that is out of proportion to the initial injury, along with changes in skin color, temperature, and sensitivity. CRPS can be divided into two types:

• CRPS Type I (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) occurs without confirmed nerve damage.

• CRPS Type II (Causalgia) is associated with identifiable nerve injury.

Although the exact cause of CRPS is not fully understood, it is believed to involve abnormal nerve signaling, inflammation, and dysfunction in the nervous system. Early intervention is essential to prevent the condition from worsening.

Common Symptoms of CRPS

CRPS symptoms can vary in severity and duration, but they often include:

• Intense, burning, or throbbing pain that persists beyond the expected healing time.

• Sensitivity to touch (allodynia), where even light contact causes pain.

• Changes in skin color and temperature, with the affected area appearing red, blue, or pale.

• Swelling and stiffness in the affected limb.

• Abnormal sweating or hair and nail growth in the affected area.

• Muscle weakness, tremors, or decreased mobility due to prolonged pain and dysfunction.

Causes and Risk Factors for CRPS

CRPS usually develops after:

• Injuries such as fractures, sprains, or burns.

• Surgical procedures, particularly those involving the limbs.

• Nerve damage, leading to abnormal pain signaling.

• Immune system dysfunction, which may contribute to excessive inflammation.

While CRPS can develop in anyone, it is more common in women and individuals between the ages of 20 and 50.

Treatment Options for CRPS

Medication Management

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Neuropathic pain medications, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, can help manage nerve-related pain.

• Corticosteroids may be used to control severe inflammation.

Nerve Blocks and Injections

• Sympathetic nerve blocks help disrupt pain signals and provide temporary or long-term relief.

• Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

• Gentle movement and desensitization techniques help restore function and reduce pain sensitivity.

• Mirror therapy can help retrain the brain’s pain response.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

• A small device is implanted near the spine to send electrical impulses that disrupt pain signals.

Other Advanced Interventional Treatments

• Intrathecal drug pumps deliver pain-relieving medication directly to the spinal cord.

• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targets and disrupts pain pathways.

How Premier Pain Can Help

At Premier Pain Treatment Institute, our experienced team takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating complex regional pain syndrome. We use advanced diagnostic techniques to identify the root cause of your pain and create personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.

Whether through minimally invasive procedures, rehabilitation programs, or innovative pain management techniques, we are committed to helping you regain mobility and improve your quality of life. And with locations throughout Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio, relief from complex regional pain syndrome is never far away!

Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting complex regional pain syndrome relief.