Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that is poorly understood and, thus, often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed. When you have CRPS, you experience severe, debilitating pain that persists. Often complex regional pain syndrome affects an arm or a leg, and the excruciating pain may come from an earlier injury to your limb. However, since your reaction to Dallas CRPS is far more intense than it should be, it leads to more than one limb getting affected. If you have CRPS, the skin on the affected limb becomes extremely sensitive to a slight touch or temperature change, leading to intense discomfort and pain.
An affected area of your body with complex regional pain syndrome may also become inflamed and stiff and experience temperature and skin color change.
1. Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome
Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome often disappear gradually. But, you may also experience the debilitating painful symptoms of CRPS for a few months or many years.
One of the common signs of CRPS is long-lasting, severe pain. The chronic pain may have burning, tingling, and stinging sensations. The area of the limb affected by pain may also be numb.
Other potential signs and symptoms of CRPS may include stiffness and swelling of joints, muscle spasms, changes in the skin, unusual changes in hair and nail, extreme sensitivity in the skin of the affected limb, trouble sleeping, and difficulty moving the affected limb.
If your complex regional pain syndrome symptoms make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and activities, seek treatment immediately.
2. Diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome
No particular test can determine if you have complex regional pain syndrome. Your doctor will diagnose you with CRPS by examining your signs and symptoms and physical health. Your health provider will consider if you have an unusual sensitivity to touch (pressure) or temperature, differences in skin color, inflammation of the affected limb, and reduced motion range.
Other tests may be useful for ruling out that other conditions are not causing your long-lasting chronic pain and other symptoms of CRPS. For instance, your doctor may subject you to a blood test, which is important for ensuring you do not have an infection or rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, MRI scans can rule out bone or tissue issues, and an x-ray scan can determine if you have problems with your bones or joints.
3. Treatment and prevention of complex regional pain syndrome
Although currently there is no cure for complex regional pain syndrome, it is possible to minimize its signs and symptoms. Your health provider can recommend physical rehabilitation, prescribe medications for pain relief, and provide emotional support. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychological treatment, can help you cope with the emotional toll of CRPS.
You can prevent complex regional pain syndrome by avoiding serious injuries such as cuts and scrapes, sprains and strains, and bone fractures.
Contact Magnolia Pain Associates today to schedule an appointment with a CRPS specialist.
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