Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that usually starts after an injury, surgery, or medical event such as a stroke. It usually affects an arm or leg, and might be diagnosed when the ongoing pain is out of proportion to the initial event.

Symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:

• Ongoing burning or throbbing pain, usually in a limb
• swelling
• Sensitivity to touch
• Sensitivity to cold
• Changes in skin color or texture
• Hair and nail growth changes in the affected area
• Changes in skin temperature
• Joint stiffness or swelling
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness

In some people, symptoms will go away on their own, but some people may have the effects of CRPS for years.

There are two types of CRPS:

• Type 1, which is also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, happens after an injury or illness that didn't damage nerves in the affected area. This is the most common type of CRPS.
• Type 2 happens after a nerve injury in the affected area.