Diabetic Neuralgia

What is CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome )?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a term used to describe a group of painful conditions. Earlier names for these conditions include Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), causalgia, etc. The pain in CRPS is constant and either shooting, sharp, or burning. The pain may be severe and it lasts much longer. Few people may not have a history of an injury or surgery before the pain started, but mostly people have such a history, when explored in detail.

What are the symptoms of CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are usually in one arm or leg and include:

Pain that is 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 in the painful arm or leg

Who is prone to CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

CRPS can happen to anyone at any age. Females in their 40s to 60s are more likely to get it. CRPS isn't the same for all people. Many have mild symptoms which slowly get better over time. But some people may not recover as expected.

What causes CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

The exact cause of CRPS is still not clear. The pain usually starts after a limb or joint has had a serious injury such as:

A gunshot wound

A deep wound

Broken bone

The injury might also be caused by an accident, a fall, or surgery. In few people, CRPS starts without an apparent reason. It isn't clear why some people get CRPS while others do not.