Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treatment in Petaluma
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon neurological condition causing pain and other symptoms in a certain part of your body, usually your hands or feet.
What are the Symptoms of CRPS?
Most cases of CRPS are triggered by an athletic injury, a fall or a complication of surgery. The pain is often out of proportion to the injury. It might be accompanied by changes in skin color, swelling, growth of hair in unusual places, thickened nails that are painful and difficult to trim or none of these signs at all.
If you think you may have CRPS, it is important to seek help as early in the course as you can. Because it is often difficult to diagnose, be sure to visit with trusted doctors with experience. We will listen to you and the effect they are having on your life and thereby help you navigate your signs and symptoms.
While CRPS is typically characterized by intense and persistent pain typically affecting one limb, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Other symptoms may include:
- Continuous burning or throbbing pain
- Sensitivity to touch or cold
- Changes in body temperature — going from hot or sweaty to cold
- Skin color can change, ranging from white and blotchy to red or blue
- Skin may become thin or shiny
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness and swelling
- Muscle spasms, tremors, and weakness
- Decreased mobility in the injured area
If you have persistent pain that’s preventing you from carrying out everyday activities, we can help.
Who Does CRPS Affect?
CRPS is mostly seen in adulthood, but it occurs in teenagers too (more easily treatable). It affects females more often than males. It was previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia as well as multiple other names. It was first described by the neurologist Weir Mitchell who cared for patients suffering nerve injuries from bayonet wounds incurred on the battle fields of the American Civil War.
Diagnosing CRPS
It is important to diagnose CRPS correctly because it can easily be mistaken for other pain conditions treated differently.
To properly diagnose CRPS, we help:
- Perform a thorough clinical assessment
- Discuss at length your medial history
- Recommend diagnostic tests or imaging studies
- Collaborate with other specialties and services to best bring about relief of pain and an improved level of function.
There are two main types of CRPS, type one and two.
- CRPS Type 1 (CRPS-I): This form occurs without evidence of nerve damage or specific nerve injury (i.e. weakness). It often arises following trauma or injury to a limb, leading to disproportionate pain with or without swelling, changes in skin temperature, and altered skin color.
- CRPS Type 2 (CRPS-II): CRPS-II is associated with confirmed nerve damage or injury leading to clear loss of function. Similar symptoms of pain with or without swelling, and changes in skin color and temperature characterize this type, along with its distinct underlying neural pathology.
Treating CRPS
Signs and symptoms of CRPS can sometimes go away on their own. But in other cases, symptoms may linger for months or years. The right treatment is vital.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, treatment is likely to be most effective when started early in the course of the illness. We can help you get the peace of mind you deserve.
Treatment typically includes:
- Rehabilitation and physical or occupational therapy
- Treating psychological ramifications of the pain to help better cope
- Medications and specific injections to alleviate pain and restore function
- Therapeutic techniques to retrain the brain’s processing of sensory input to alleviate the pain and allow functional gain through exercise
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, early intervention can make a significant difference. At Sonoma Neurology, Pain & Headache in Petaluma, our experienced team offers personalized, evidence-based care for CRPS and other chronic pain conditions. We work closely with referring clinicians to ensure a coordinated and thorough approach to diagnosis and treatment. To request an appointment, please give us a call at 707-415-4273.
*Please note: A clinician referral is required to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12085-complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/complex-regional-pain-syndrome