1Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but excruciating illness that can be treated early to avoid its development. We use a variety of therapy options for chronic pain at Progressive Pain and Interventional Psychiatry to treat Dallas patients with CRPS.
What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a form of chronic pain that can arise following surgery or an accident. Pain may not be easy to diagnose. In any case, the resulting discomfort is far greater than the condition from which it arises.
The medical community has little understanding of why it occurs, but with the proper therapy, pain may be controlled; if treated promptly enough, remission is a possibility.
Symptoms of CRPS
The symptoms of CRPS include severe, unrelenting pain that is often described as burning. Other symptoms include
- Aching or throbbing discomfort
- Swelling
- Extreme sensitivity to touch and temperature
- Joint stiffness that causes immobility
- Muscles can become weak, causing them to atrophy
Not everyone will suffer from all the symptoms, but most people will experience pain, swelling, and redness.
If you suspect that you have developed CRPS, it’s important to seek treatment right away. The earlier you obtain treatment, the more likely it is that you can achieve remission. Schedule your evaluation today!
Causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
The mechanism behind CRPS is not well understood. It’s thought to be caused by trauma to the peripheral and central nervous systems, according to current research. CRPS typically develops as a result of an accident or damage.
CRPS occurs in two types, with similar signs and symptoms, but different causes:
- The most common type is CRPS type I, which affects the peripheral nerves. It’s caused by an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in your affected limb. Type 1 affects about 90% of people with CRPS.
- CRPS type 2 is often known as causalgia. This form has symptoms comparable to those of type 1. Type 2 CRPS develops following a specific nerve injury.
Many cases of CRPS occur after a forceful trauma to an arm or a leg. This can include a crushing injury or a fracture.
CRPS can also be caused by a variety of other, more common traumas, such as surgery, heart attacks, infections, and even sprained ankles.
Why do these injuries cause CRPS? It’s unclear, not everyone who has similar accidents develops CRPS. It might be due to an inability of your central and peripheral nervous systems to communicate properly, as well as overactive inflammatory responses.
How We Help
If you are a Dallas-area patient suffering from CRPS, Progressive Pain and Interventional Psychiatry is here to help. We specialize in pain management and will develop a unique treatment plan based on your diagnosis and requirements.
Our main objective is to ease your discomfort and prevent long-term damage.
Don’t Settle for a Life of Pain
If you’re struggling with CRPS, you don’t have to live with the pain. At Progressive Pain and Interventional Psychiatry, our focus is on giving our patients the ability to reclaim their lives through better pain management and increased mobility.
We specialize in treating a variety of pain problems with tried and true therapy options, as well as cutting-edge technology- and science-based techniques.
Call today to schedule your pain evaluation with one of our qualified pain specialists.