What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and How Is It Treated?

People suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) typically want to know a couple of things: What’s causing this pain, and how can I get relief?

While this syndrome is difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat, options are available to help improve your quality of life.

Dr. Jonathan Koning and the team at ReGen Pain Management in Plano and Frisco, Texas, have the knowledge and compassion to explain your condition and treat it. Here’s what you need to know.

What is CRPS?

Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that usually develops after an injury, surgery, or other trauma, but the pain becomes far more intense and longer‑lasting than expected because your nervous system reacts abnormally. 

What causes CRPS?

The exact cause of CRPS isn’t entirely known. It may result from an abnormal response in your nervous system that amplifies pain signals when your nerves become hypersensitive and reactive to even the slightest stimulation.

CRPS commonly affects your arm, hand, leg, or foot. Symptoms include persistent pain, an electric-like shooting sensation, burning, tingling, and numbness, swelling in the affected area, and increased sensitivity to even mild discomfort such as a change in temperature.

How is CRPS treated?

Because the cause of CRPS isn’t precisely known, individuals respond differently to various treatments, meaning there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. 

The goal of treatment is to reduce your pain, restore your mobility, and improve overall function. Our team develops a customized treatment approach for you that may include:

Physical therapy

We work with your body to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Desensitization treatment gradually exposes your limb to different textures and temperatures to help your brain readjust to sensations.

Medications

Anti-inflammatory or nerve medications, including topical creams, anti-seizure drugs, and corticosteroids, may help manage your symptoms.

Neuromodulation

Spinal cord stimulation using implants helps reduce pain in some patients.

Interventional pain management

Sympathetic nerve blocks or other minimally invasive injections may provide relief.

Lifestyle support

Stress management, good sleep habits, and regular movement can support your recovery efforts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also help you develop strategies to manage the impact of chronic pain in your life.

As you can see, living with CRPS can be challenging both physically and emotionally, but we have a range of effective treatment options. 

If you’re looking for hope and help dealing with CRPS, our compassionate, experienced team at ReGen Pain Management would be honored to guide you. Schedule an appointment by calling our location most convenient to you or booking online today.