Complex
Regional
Pain Syndrome
We Understand Even
Misunderstood Pain
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Chronic pain comes in many forms, one of which being Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a frequently misdiagnosed condition that can be very painful. The physicians at Centurion Spine & Pain Centers are well versed in CRPS diagnosis and treatment.
What Is
CRPS?
CRPS was previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It is a chronic nerve injury that can happen after a successful surgery when everything seems to heal correctly except for the nerves. CRPS can also happen after minor injuries like tendon sprains in the knee or ankle.
With CRPS, the injured nerve starts to spread, and pain can travel all the way down to a specific area of the body, like a finger or toe. Because the pain is so widespread, often reaching the hands and feet, many physicians misdiagnose it for neuropathy.
Symptoms of
CRPS
There are two types of CRPS. CRPS type 1 is more common and occurs after an injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves. CRPS type 2, also known as causalgia, occurs after a nerve injury.
Symptoms of both CRPS type 1 and 2 can include:
- Pain that feels like burning or “pins and needles”
- High sensitivity to touch
- Swelling and redness
- Changes in skin temperature or texture
Treatment Options for
CRPS
There are multiple treatment options for CRPS. At Centurion Spine & Pain Centers, we take the following approach to treating CRPS:
- Medications and desensitization therapy. Physical therapy can help to desensitize the nerves.
- Nerve blocks. If a patient comes to us early, we can often reverse their CRPS with simple injections.
- Spinal cord stimulation. For chronic CRPS, the best treatment option is spinal cord stimulation (SCS). SCS can be very successful with CRPS, often causing it to go into hibernation mode so the patient doesn’t have to use their stimulator as often.
Contact us
Contact us today for more information on treatment of a compression fracture. To schedule an appointment, call 904.593.6101.