Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare condition that causes severe pain in the arms or legs, usually after an injury. At Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin, board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine physician Bradley Silva, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating CRPS. Dr. Silva takes a multidisciplinary approach, creating individualized treatment plans that focus on you, not your diagnosis. For expert CRPS management, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What should I know about complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that causes intense pain and other symptoms in the arm or leg. The symptoms usually occur after an injury or some type of trauma to the extremity.

CRPS symptoms vary in type and severity and may include:

• Chronic or intermittent pain in the extremity
• Highly sensitive to touch
• Swelling in the affected limb
• Joint stiffness
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Changes in skin temperature or texture in the affected limb

CRPS is treatable, especially when diagnosed during the early stages. However, because it’s uncommon, many people with CRPS may go undiagnosed and untreated. 

What causes complex regional pain syndrome?

Researchers are still looking into what causes CRPS, but it's theorized that the pain develops from a malfunction in the nervous system after an injury. 

Your nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems (sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves throughout the body). Your peripheral nervous system serves as a line of communication between your body and the central nervous system. 

With CRPS, it is believed that there is a change in nerve communication between the body and brain, causing the symptoms.

I have an intense burning sensation in my hand. Could I have CRPS?

Burning, numbness, and tingling in the extremity are some of the pain symptoms you may have with CRPS. If you injured your hand or foot, and have intense pain and sensitivity, then you should schedule an appointment at Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center. 

Currently, there’s no single test for diagnosing CRPS, but interventional pain management experts can determine your diagnosis after a thorough history and physical. They ask detailed questions about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam.

Getting a precise diagnosis is essential for getting the right treatment to manage and recover from CRPS.  

What are the treatments for complex regional pain syndrome?

Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center customizes treatment plans for CRPS based on the severity of your symptoms. Your multidisciplinary CRPS treatment plan may include:

• Medication management
• Physical therapy
• Interventional pain procedures (sympathetic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation)
• Surgery
• Psychotherapy

Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center performs most interventional pain procedures at their onsite procedure suite.

CRPS is rare and often misdiagnosed. Call Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center or schedule an appointment online today to get help for your pain.