Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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
• Telltale 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)

• Article: Sensory training system for use at home by people with complex...
• Article: Identification of Potential Inflammation-Related Genes and Key Pathways Associated with Complex...
• Article: A Pilot Study of Autonomic Function Screening Tests for Differentiating Complex...
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome -- see more articles

Patient Handouts

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