Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
ByLaurence Schubert APAM
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What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
ComplexRegional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a neurological malfunction where pain isheightened for an abnormal duration following injury. CRPS is poorlyunderstood, and the exact cause of it is unknown. The pain is believed to becaused by abnormal inflammation process and/or nerve malfunction. CRPS can be differentiatedinto type I & type II. Type I usually occurs after a minor injury to anextremity (e.g., ankle sprain), whereas CRPS type II occurs after significantinjury to a peripheral nerve.
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What are the symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
- Â Â Â Â Â Localised pain disproportionate to the injury
- Â Â Â Â Â Increased swelling/re-occurrence of swelling
-      Changes in skin temperature – very hot or cold
- Â Â Â Â Â Severe burning pain
- Â Â Â Â Â Increased sweating
- Â Â Â Â Â Discolouration of skin
- Â Â Â Â Â Hypersensitivity
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Can Complex Regional Pain Syndrome be treated?
- Yesit can be. The condition is not very well understood, however there are a fewkey things you can do to reduce the damage of CRPS.
-      Seek professional help ASAP – the quicker you treat CRPS, the quickeryour recovery
-      Early mobilisation – as written above, there may be vasomotordisturbances, so gentle mobilisation is strongly recommended as this will helpregulate proper blood flow
-      Motor imagery – mental processing of performing a movement withoutactually doing it. E.g. you imagine yourself complete a movement with thepainful body part.
-      Avoidance of surgery – When possible
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I think I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, whatshould I do?
Head to your GP/doctoras soon as you can, if the pain is unbearable then proceed to the emergencydepartment. As written above, the quicker you seek assistance the more easilythe condition is treated. Treatment for each person will vary, depending on thepresentation of the syndrome.
If you have any questions about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS), then please contact us or book online for an appointment.
