YourCareEverywhere

Health Research

Diseases and Conditions

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?
DISEASES AND CONDITIONS

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?

June 05, 2019

What IsComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system. It used to be called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). It causes chronic severe burning pain in the arms, fingers, palm of hand, shoulder, or legs. If not treated, the pain and weakness may lead to limited use of that body part.

There are 2 types. They only vary depending on if you have had nerve injury. Both have the same symptoms and outcome. They are:

  • CRPS type 1. This is if you have no prior nerve injury.
  • CRPS type 2. This is if you have had nerve injury. CRPS type 2 used to be called causalgia.

What causesCRPS?

The cause of CRPS is not known. An injury may cause CRPS. It can be something minor, like a sprain or a cut. Or, it may be more severe, like a bone break.Or it may be caused by a surgery, such as carpal tunnel release. As you’re healing, you may feel new, severe pain in the injured area. That pain may spread through the injured limb. Over time, other symptoms may appear.

Symptoms and signs of CRPS

If you aren’t treated soon, the symptoms of CRPS can get worse or change over time. Below are symptoms and signs that can occur in the body part that is affected.

Early-stage CRPS

Symptoms include:

  • Ongoing, severe, burning pain

  • Sensitive to touch (pain from physical contact that normally is not painful) 

  • Swollen, blotchy, reddish, or purple skin

  • Stiff joints

  • Change in temperature of the body part

  • Abnormal sweating in the body part or nearby areas 

Late-stage CRPS

Symptoms include:

  • Skin that appears shiny and thin

  • Loss of muscle strength

  • Changes in hair and nail growth

  • Ridges in skin look flatter than normal

  • Shrinking of the affected limb

  • Constant swelling of the foot or hand

  • Spreading to other limbs

  • Abnormal movements of the limb such as poor coordination, tremor, and movements you can't control

Updated:  

June 05, 2019

Sources:  

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 4th Edition. Harden, R. Pain Medicine. 2013, is. 14(2), pp. 180-229.

Reviewed By:  

Sather, Rita, RN,Shelat, Amit, MD