What is complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a type of pain that usually affects an arm or a leg. Usually the pain is in a part of your body where you had surgery or an injury. The pain is constant. It can feel like shooting, sharp, or burning pain. It's worse and lasts longer than normal pain from a surgery or an injury. Some people get CRPS without having an injury or surgery first.

CRPS is different for everyone. Some people have mild symptoms and get better slowly. But others may not get better and could have long-term pain and problems doing daily activities.

Symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are usually only in one arm or leg and include:

• Pain that's much more severe and lasts much longer than what you would expect for the kind of injury you may have had.
• Skin that may be blotchy or shiny.
• Skin that may feel hotter or colder than other areas of your body.
• Swelling, joint stiffness, weakness, or shaking in the painful arm or leg.
• Sweating, numbness, or tingling in the painful arm or leg.

Like other conditions that cause chronic pain, CRPS can also cause sleeping problems, anxiety, mood swings, sadness, and depression.

When pain is extreme, some people who have CRPS think about death or suicide. If you or someone you care about talks about suicide or feels hopeless, get help right away.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is not common, so diagnosis can be hard.

There's no one test to diagnose CRPS. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. You will also get a physical exam. The exam may include touching your skin or bending your joints in the area that hurts.

Your doctor might also compare the color and temperature of the painful arm or leg with the matching, healthy one. For instance, if your left arm hurts, your doctor will compare it to your right arm.

More tests may be needed to rule out other possible causes of your pain and to make a correct diagnosis.

CRPS can be hard to diagnose. Your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist. This may be a neurologist, a rheumatologist, or a pain specialist.

Treatment includes pain management, physical and occupational therapy, counseling, and patient education.

The goal of pain management is to help you do more and feel better. You may take medicines to help with pain or to help you sleep. You may work with a specialist or go to a pain management clinic. Your doctor may also recommend a procedure or surgery that can help with pain.

Rehab may include moving or exercising your limb, hydrotherapy, nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and other therapies. It also may include mirror therapy. This is a kind of treatment that changes how your brain perceives pain.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you manage your pain. It can teach you how to change thoughts and behaviors that can make pain worse. And it can help you learn other coping skills.

Education helps you take care of yourself as well as you can by learning more about the condition.

• Try to relax and reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help.
• Keep moving, if you can. Gentle, daily exercise, such as walking or swimming, can help reduce pain over the long term.
• Apply a heating pad set on low or a warm cloth to the painful area.
• Gently massage the painful area.
• Get enough sleep. Talk with your doctor if you have trouble sleeping because of pain.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
  • Your doctor may have prescribed medicines used to treat depression and seizures. These medicines can reduce your pain, help you sleep better, and improve your mood.
  • If you are not taking a prescription medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Keep a daily pain diary. Record how your moods, thoughts, sleep patterns, activities, and medicine affect your pain. Having a record can help you and your doctor find the best ways to treat your pain.
• Try to think positively. Remember that your thoughts can affect your pain level. Do things you enjoy to make yourself feel better when you have pain. See a movie, read a book, listen to music, or spend time with a friend. Let your doctor know if you are feeling depressed or anxious.