Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that typically affects the arms or legs and can cause severe pain and inflammation as well as changes in skin color and temperature.
Learn about your treatment options
The first step in treating your pain is to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis, you and your doctor can determine your best treatment options. At The Pain Center, we offer traditional and state-of-the-art therapies to treat your pain and help get you back to your normal activities.
Causes of CRPS
Although there is no known cause of CRPS, the condition typically develops after a traumatic injury, infection, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. CRPS occurs in two types, with Type 1 developing after an illness of injury, and Type 2 (commonly referred to as causalgia) developing after a distinctive injury to the nerves. In some cases, emotional stress has also been considered a precipitating factor.
CRPS Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of CRPS may change over time and vary from person to person. The most common symptoms associated with CRPS are pain, inflammation, redness, and hypersensitivity to cold and touch. After a certain period of time, the affected area may become cold and undergo various skin changes (i.e. color, temperature, texture, etc.). Other symptoms of this condition may include:
- Burning or throbbing pain in the arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Swelling of the affected area
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint swelling, stiffness, or damage
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Immobility of the affected body part
How to Treat CRPS
Patients should seek treatment immediately after receiving their diagnosis. A combination of therapies may help improve symptoms or slow the progression of complex regional pain syndrome. Treatment options for CRPS may include:
- Medication Management
- Injections
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
Get the care you need within 24 hours*
We know when you’re looking for relief for your chronic pain, you can’t wait any longer than you already have. This is why we can schedule you with an appointment within 24 hours at most of our pain centers across the Valley, so you can start your journey to life-long pain relief as soon as tomorrow.