Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. The key symptom of CRPS is continuous pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury, which gets worse rather than better over time. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome most often affects one of the arms, legs, hands, or feet. Often the pain spreads to include the entire arm or leg. Typical features include dramatic changes in the color and temperature of the skin over the affected limb or body part, accompanied by intense burning pain, skin sensitivity, sweating, and swelling. Doctors aren't sure what causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The sympathetic nervous system can sometimes play an important role in sustaining the pain. Another theory is that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is caused by a triggering of the immune response, which leads to the characteristic inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.
Is there any treatment?
Due to the lack of a cure for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. Doctors may prescribe topical analgesics, antidepressants, corticosteroids, and opioids to relieve pain. However, no single drug or combination of drugs has produced consistent long-lasting improvement in symptoms. Other treatments may include physical therapy, sympathetic nerve block, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug pumps to deliver opioids and local anesthetic agents via the spinal cord.
What is the prognosis?
Prognosis for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome varies from patient to patient. Unremitting pain and crippling, irreversible changes in spite of treatment can sometimes occur at random. In other cases, spontaneous remission from symptoms occurs in some individuals after treatment.
What research is being done?
Many government agencies and private facilities conduct research relating to CRPS and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Scientists are studying new approaches to treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and intervene more aggressively after traumatic injury to lower the chances of developing the disorder.
If you or a loved one is affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
