Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
What is complex regional pain syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is one of those little known syndromes that cause a lot of pain and discomfort. The rare disorder goes back as far as the American Civil War but is still not understood.
According to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, the syndrome affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million people in the United States.
Although CRPS usually occurs after a fracture or soft-tissue injury, such as a sprain or strain, it has happened after other medical issues, like a stroke, a heart attack, or surgery.
There are two types of CRPS. Type I is also called reflex symptomatic dystrophy, and in this case, doctors can’t identify the nerve injury. Type II, also called causalgia, happens when doctors can identify a major nerve that has been affected.
The pain and discomfort from CRPS is out of proportion from the initial injury.
What are the symptoms?
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Intense burning
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Aching pain
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Swelling
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Skin discoloration
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Change in skin temperature
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Abnormal sweating in the affected area
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Hypersensitivity (“too sensitive”) in the area
For unknown reasons, the nerves are altered and send the painful messages.
What can be done?
There is no treatment for CRPS. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. This could involve creams or ointments for the skin, physical therapy, or medications for the pain, among others.
For more in-depth information, here are some sites that have reliable and up-to-date information:
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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