Recovering from an injury or surgery takes time. But if your pain seems much worse than expected or it isn’t getting better, you might have complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
CRPS is a chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, surgery or medical event. The original injury may have healed but the nervous system keeps sending pain signals that are stronger and last longer than they should.
At Banner Health, our pain management, neurology and rehabilitation experts work together to check your symptoms, confirm a diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to reduce pain, improve movement and help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
CRPS is a rare condition that causes pain, skin color changes and other symptoms in certain parts of your body. It often occurs after an injury, surgery or trauma and the pain is usually much worse than expected. Without treatment, it can last for months or even years.
CRPS most often affects one limb, like a hand, wrist, arm, foot, ankle or leg. For some people, symptoms stay in one spot. For others, they spread to nearby areas including the face.
There are two types of CRPS:
Both types cause similar symptoms and are treated in the same way. Some people are first diagnosed with Type 1 but later tests reveal nerve damage and the diagnosis changes to Type 2.
Researchers are still studying what causes CRPS. It seems to involve changes in the nervous system, immune system and blood flow that keep pain signals active even after the body starts healing.
It can develop after:
Sometimes, CRPS follows a very minor injury. Other times, there is no clear cause. Having an injury doesn’t mean you’ll develop CRPS.
CRPS can affect anyone but your risk may be higher if you:
Most people who have an injury or surgery never develop CRPS. It’s rare and doctors can’t always predict who will get it.
CRPS usually appears within days or weeks after an injury or surgery, though it can develop later. The main symptom is chronic pain that’s often much worse than the original injury. It may feel like burning, shooting, stabbing or like “pins and needles.”
Other symptoms include
There is no single test for CRPS. Your health care provider will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also use the Budapest Criteria, a common set of guidelines that help diagnose CRPS based on exam findings.
Your provider may order tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms, including:
The earlier CRPS is treated, the better your chances of improving pain and function. Because CRPS affects everyone differently, your treatment will be tailored to your symptoms, health and daily life. The main goals are to reduce pain, improve movement and help you use the affected limb as much as possible.
Physical and occupational therapy play a key role in CRPS treatment. Gentle, guided movement can improve flexibility, strength and range of motion, reduce stiffness and build your confidence in using the affected limb.
A physical therapist can guide you through:
An occupational therapist can teach you new ways to do daily tasks while protecting the limb and improving how it functions.
Several types of medicine can help calm the overactive pain signals in the brain and spinal cord.
Your doctor might recommend:
Learn about treating neuropathic nerve pain.
Advanced treatments like neuromodulation may help with pain signals. Some of these advanced treatments include spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation.
You’ll usually try a temporary device first to see if it helps before getting a permanent one. Your care team can help you decide if these treatments are right for you.
Living with chronic pain affects more than just your body. It can also impact your sleep, mood, relationships and emotional health. Behavioral health specialists can help you learn healthy ways to cope, manage stress and anxiety and improve your overall well-being.
Depending on your symptoms, your provider may also recommend:
Your pain management specialist will work with you to build a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.
Living with chronic pain can be challenging. CRPS may affect your ability to work, exercise, sleep or enjoy everyday activities. It can also be frustrating when your pain does not match what others can see.
A treatment plan that focuses on both pain relief and improving function can help you move forward.
Helpful strategies may include:
Talk with your provider if you have severe or ongoing pain after an injury or surgery, especially in an arm, leg, hand or foot.
You may benefit from seeing a pain management or neurology specialist if you have:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
Living with complex regional pain syndrome can be frustrating but you don't have to manage it alone. Banner Health offers comprehensive CRPS care through our pain management, neurology and rehabilitation teams. We work together to identify the cause of your symptoms, rule out other conditions and help reduce your pain and improve movement.
When you choose Banner Health, you'll find:
Whether your symptoms are new or you’ve lived with CRPS for years, our team is here to help you explore your treatment options and improve your quality of life.
CRPS is a chronic pain condition that often affects an arm, leg, hand or foot after an injury or surgery. The pain is usually worse or lasts longer than expected.
CRPS may feel like burning, stabbing, throbbing or severe sensitivity to touch, sometimes with swelling, skin or temperature changes, stiffness or weakness.
CRPS often starts after an injury, fracture, sprain, surgery or nerve injury. In some cases, there is no clear cause.
CRPS involves the nervous system, inflammation and changes in blood flow, so many people have nerve-type pain, such as burning, shooting or sensitivity to touch.
There is no single test for CRPS. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, medical history and a physical exam. Tests may be used to rule out other causes.
Yes. Treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement. Care may include physical or occupational therapy, medicines, pain management procedures and behavioral health support.
Some people improve over time, especially with early treatment. Others have long-term symptoms that need ongoing pain management and rehabilitation.
See a provider if pain after an injury or surgery is severe, lasts longer than expected or comes with swelling, skin color changes, temperature changes or extreme sensitivity to touch.
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