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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Advanced Treatments for Lasting Relief
Characterized by burning pain, swelling, and extreme sensitivity, usually affecting an arm or leg, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can severely impact quality of life.
At Pain Care, our multidisciplinary team of pain management specialists takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating CRPS, utilizing advanced interventional therapies and personalized care.
We aim to not only relieve pain but also to restore function, improve mobility, and help patients regain control over their lives.
Understanding complex regional pain syndrome
CRPS, sometimes known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), occurs when the body’s nervous system overreacts to an injury. This leads to prolonged pain and inflammation that persists long after the initial issue has healed.
Trauma such as fracture, surgery, heart attack, and even a relatively minor sprain can trigger CRPS, with symptoms in the affected extremity that may include:
- Deep burning or throbbing pain
- Changes in skin temperature (warmer or cooler than usual)
- Muscle weakness
- Joint stiffness
- Blotchy red, white, or purplish skin discoloration
- Heightened sensitivity to touch or cold
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. The sooner therapy begins, the greater the chances of reducing symptoms and preventing long-term complications, which may include muscle tightness or contracture and long-term mobility issues.
Why CRPS happens
The exact cause of CRPS isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to involve abnormal responses between the peripheral and central nervous systems.
After an injury, the body sends pain signals to the brain — but in CRPS, those signals don’t shut off properly. The result is ongoing nerve inflammation and hypersensitivity that can spread beyond the original site of injury.
Understanding this mechanism helps our specialists target treatments that calm the overactive nerves and restore healthy communication between the body and brain.
Advanced treatments for CRPS
At Pain Care, we combine advanced interventional pain management techniques with personalized rehabilitation to deliver lasting relief from CRPS.
Along with traditional therapies such as healthy nutrition, routine exercise, and oral medication, your strategy might include:
Nerve blocks and sympathetic blocks
Targeted injections such as stellate ganglion or lumbar sympathetic blocks can interrupt pain signals and reduce nerve overactivity. Many patients experience significant relief and improved mobility after these in-office procedures.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
This advanced therapy utilizes a small, implanted device to deliver mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, thereby altering the brain's perception of pain signals.
SCS is FDA-cleared for CRPS and can dramatically reduce chronic pain when conservative treatments have failed.
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
This treatment targets and disrupts signals from the peripheral nerves responsible for pain sensation in the affected extremity.
CRPS-targeted physical and occupational therapy
Movement is medicine for CRPS. Guided physical therapy helps restore function, improve strength, and prevent muscle atrophy.
Combined with desensitization exercises and other techniques targeted at overcoming the daily challenges of CRPS, this therapy plays a vital role in long-term recovery.
Psychological support and counseling
Chronic pain affects not only the body but also the mind. Your Pain Care provider may recommend supportive therapy to help patients manage stress, anxiety, and depression related to CRPS.
Ready for a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to CRPS?
Every case of CRPS is unique, which is why our team at Pain Care develops individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s symptoms and goals.
By integrating interventional procedures, medical therapies, and supportive care, we help patients achieve lasting relief and reclaim their independence. Schedule an evaluation at Pain Care today.
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