Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Also called: Causalgia, CRPS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Summary

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition. It causes intense pain, usually in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. It may happen after an injury, either to a nerve or to tissue in the affected area. Rest and time may only make it worse.

Symptoms in the affected area are:

Dramatic changes in skin temperature, color, or texture
Intense burning pain
Extreme skin sensitivity
Swelling and stiffness in affected joints
Decreased ability to move the affected body part

The cause of CRPS is unknown. There is no specific diagnostic test. Your doctor will diagnose CRPS based on your signs and symptoms.

There is no cure. It can get worse over time, and may spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally the symptoms go away, either temporarily or for good. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain, and can include medicines, physical therapy, and nerve blocks.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in Spanish

Learn More

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Helping Youth with CRPS Succeed in School (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - PDF
Signs and Symptoms of CRPS/RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Causalgia (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Complex Regional Pain Syndromes (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Patient Handouts

Complex regional pain syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Spinal cord stimulation (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.