There’s a lot that’s uncommon about complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), starting with its prevalence — the condition only affects about 200,000 people each year in the United States.
Unfortunately, for those who do develop CRPS, the pain can be uncommonly severe, which is the primary sign of the condition but not the only one.
To shed some light on CRPS, the team at Johnston Pain Management will focus on some key signs of the condition here, as well as what to do next.
Before we get into the signs of CRPS, we think providing a little background is helpful. In short, CRPS often develops on the heels of a trauma or event to your body, such as surgery or an infection. This trauma can involve nerve damage, but it doesn’t have to.
Whatever the precipitating event, it kicks off a malfunction in your central and peripheral nervous systems that can lead to ongoing pain and inflammation in a certain region of your body.
CRPS can be acute and last only for a few months, but it can also be chronic, lasting for a year or more. And whether the CRPS is chronic or acute, it can place limitations on your life.
Now let’s dive into some of the signs of CRPS, which include:
We’re going to start with the most obvious symptom — pain. Even though there’s no obvious injury, you can feel moderate to severe pain in a certain area, such as in an arm or leg, which are the two most commonly involved areas with CRPS.
The pain often comes with extreme sensitivity — the slightest touch can be excruciating because CRPS pain is often disproportionate.
The pain can come and go, or it can be constant, and patients often describe it as a deep ache or a burning or tearing sensation.
Another sign of CRPS is swelling in the area where you’re experiencing pain. This inflammation is your body’s response to the heightened nerve activity in the area — it believes that something needs healing so it initiates the inflammatory process.
Sensory nerve malfunction can lead to physical changes in your skin, such as becoming hot or cold. The appearance of your skin can also change and become red and blotchy. You might also develop shiny patches of skin and the area of your body that’s in pain might sweat more.
The term regional is included in CRPS because the condition often affects a single region, such as an arm or leg. And it’s often in the limb that had the original trauma.
In less common cases, however, some patients might experience discomfort in both limbs, which we call mirroring. Or, pain in your left arm can extend down one side of your body to your left leg.
If you recognize any of the symptoms we describe above and you can check two or more of those boxes, it’s a very good idea to come see us. After a thorough evaluation, we can determine whether you have CRPS and get you on a treatment path that will make you far more comfortable. This plan might include:
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s stop here so that you can take the next step toward much-needed pain relief. To get that ball rolling, please schedule a consultation at one of our three conveniently located offices in Jacksonville, Hampstead, and New Bern, North Carolina.
