Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Pain Management

What is CRPS?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a complicated condition that is not yet fully understood. CRPS is chronic pain that usually continues after a seemingly minor injury but the pain is not in proportion with the original injury. CRPS often affects the arms or legs and you may feel like the arm or leg is persistently in pain for no reason at all. The pain may be localized to one of the limbs or seem to “jump” from limb to limb.

The research into CRPS has shown that the cause of CRPS related pain is a neurological condition in which the brain continues to transmit pain signals to an area even after the injury has healed.

CRPS can have many symptoms and these symptoms may be intermittent, but the symptoms can include:

Chronic pain, throbbing or burning in the limbs

Sensitivity to cold or touch Swelling in the painful area

Swelling in the painful area

Changes in skin temperature around the painful area

Discoloration, pale skin or skin thinning around the painful area

Muscle spasms or stiffness around the painful area

The Board Certified Specialists at OSS Health have helped thousands of patients with CRPS live an active and healthy lifestyle using a variety of treatment options.

How is CRPS Treated?

Some research has shown that patients who are treated earlier have higher rates of remission and long term pain relief. Your OSS Health Specialist may recommend a variety of treatment options for CRPS based on your unique symptoms and medical history.

These treatments can include:

  • Pain-relieving medications
  • Anti-seizure or anticonvulsant medications
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Bone loss medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Sympathetic nerve block injections
  • Intravenous ketamine
  • Spinal cord stimulator implant
  • Intrathecal drug pump implant

Many of these treatments may be used in combination with one another to reduce pain and reduce flare-ups.