What is complex regional pain syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome is a condition which involves persistent and severe pain and inflammation in a limb which results in a lack of energy and strength.
What causes CRPS?
Complex regional pain syndrome occurs due to the malfunctioning of nerve fibres that are responsible for carrying pain messages to the brain after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack.
What are the symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome?
The main symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:
- Pain that may feel like burning, stabbing or stinging
- Feelings of discomfort such as tingling and numbness
- Flare-ups that may last days or weeks in which the pain gets worse than usual.
Other symptoms may include:
- Strange sensations in the affected limb
- Hair and nail changes in the affected limb
- Oedema which is joint stiffness and swelling in the affected limb
- Difficulty moving the affected limb
- Osteoporosis which involves small patches of fragile bones in the affected limb
- Alternating changes to the skin
- Dystonia which involves tremors and muscle spasms
- Insomnia which is difficulty sleeping.
