CRPS Specialist

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that usually develops in an arm or leg following an injury, surgery, or as a result of conditions like stroke and heart attack. It causes persistent burning, throbbing pain that's worse than any initial injury.

Symptoms of CRPS include:

• Sensitivity to touch
• Limb swelling
• Sensitivity to heat or cold
• Skin discoloration (red, blue, or white and blotchy)
• Tender, thin, or shiny skin
• Changes in nail and hair growth
• Joint stiffness and swelling
• Muscle spasms or tremors
• Weak or atrophied muscles
• Limited movement of the affected limb

Your skin might fluctuate between being hot and sweaty and ice cold.

You may have some or all of these problems, and they can change over time. In some cases, symptoms spread into another limb.

What causes complex regional pain syndrome?

It's not clear why CRPS develops. The theory is that there's either an existing abnormality in the peripheral and central nervous systems or an injury that damages your nervous system. 

There are two forms of CRPS:

Type 1 CRPS

Type 1, sometimes called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), occurs when there's no identifiable nerve damage following an injury. Type 1 affects around 90% of people with CRPS.

Type 2 CRPS

Type 2 used to be known as causalgia. It has similar symptoms to type 1 but results from a confirmed nerve injury.

How is complex regional pain syndrome treated?

Treating CRPS can be challenging, but Dr. Krishnan has considerable experience in helping people manage their condition. Treatments that could be of benefit include:

Medication

Neuropathic (nerve) pain sometimes responds well to medications like anticonvulsants and low-dose antidepressants. You might also benefit from bone-loss drugs like calcitonin.

Injections

Steroid medications injected into the painful area help to reduce inflammation and increase mobility. A sympathetic nerve block medication containing a local anesthetic can also help.

Heat therapy

Applying heat can relieve swelling and soreness on cold skin.

Topical creams

Capsaicin cream can help with hypersensitivity, and lidocaine cream or patches help numb the pain for temporary relief.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that, in low doses, is an effective way of relieving CRPS pain.

Pain pump

A pain pump contains strong painkilling medication that delivers a drug at regular intervals.

Neurostimulation

A spinal cord stimulator is a device Dr. Krishnan implants into your back along with small electrodes that go into your spinal cord. You use a remote control to increase or decrease the speed and intensity of the electrical impulses.

DRG stimulation uses the same technology but targets a cluster of nerves called the dorsal root ganglion.

Intrathecal drug pumps

Drug pumps deliver medication into the spinal cord fluid, offering manageable pain relief that's more effective than oral medication.

If you have symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome, the sooner you get help from Dr. Krishnan, the less serious the effects are likely to be. Call Island Interventional Pain Management today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.