Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or leg. CPRS typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack, but the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury, if any. The cause of complex regional pain syndrome isn’t clearly understood. It can get worse over time, and may spread to other parts of the body. We know that injury or surgery may have occurred before the onset of symptoms. However, in many cases no previous injury took place and there is no evidence of neurological or physical damage to the affected area.

What Are The Symptoms Of CRPS?

Dramatic changes in temperature and color
Intense burning pain
Extreme skin sensitivity

How Do We Treat CRPS?

Because there is no cure for CRPS, treatment is aimed at relieving painful symptoms. Pain Care Specialists of Oregon may prescribe topical analgesics, antidepressants, corticosteroids, and opioids to relieve pain. However, no single drug or combination of drugs has produced consistent long-lasting improvement in symptoms. Other treatments may include physical therapy, sympathetic nerve block, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug pumps to deliver opioids and local anesthetic agents via the spinal cord.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of CRPS, please contact us via text or call at (503) 371-1010 or email at [email protected] to make an appointment. Pain Care Specialists of Oregon will treat you with exquisite care.