Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) | ChronicSoreness

What Is CRPS?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by persistent, severe pain usually affecting a limb. The pain is disproportionate to the initial injury. CRPS was previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).¹

Types

CRPS-I - No confirmed nerve injury (90% of cases)
CRPS-II - Confirmed nerve injury (causalgia)

Symptoms²

Sensory

Intense burning or throbbing pain
Allodynia (pain from light touch)
Hyperalgesia (increased pain response)

Vasomotor

Temperature changes (hot or cold)
Color changes (red, blue, mottled)

Sudomotor/Edema

Swelling
Sweating changes

Motor/Trophic

Decreased range of motion
Weakness
Tremor
Changes to skin, hair, nails

Treatment³

Physical/Occupational Therapy

Gentle, graded exercise
Mirror therapy
Desensitization
Graded motor imagery

Medications

Neuropathic pain medications
Bisphosphonates (early CRPS)
Corticosteroids (early, short course)
Topical treatments

Interventional

Sympathetic nerve blocks
Spinal cord stimulation
Intrathecal drug delivery

References

Harden RN, Bruehl S, Perez RS, et al. Validation of proposed diagnostic criteria for CRPS. Pain. 2010;150(2):268-274.
Birklein F, Schlereth T. Complex regional pain syndrome—significant progress in understanding. Pain. 2015;156 Suppl 1:S94-S103.
Harden RN, Oaklander AL, Burton AW, et al. Complex regional pain syndrome: practical guidelines. Pain Med. 2013;14(2):180-229.