CRPS: When Limb Pain Remains After an Injury

You expect pain after an injury, but what happens when the pain doesn’t go away — and even worsens over time? If you’re dealing with persistent, severe pain in a limb after trauma, you may have complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

At Spinal Diagnostics, we specialize in uncovering and managing chronic pain conditions like CRPS. Here’s what you need to know about this perplexing and painful disorder.

What is CRPS?

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm or leg after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. The pain is often out of proportion to the original injury and may include symptoms like:

Burning or throbbing pain
Sensitivity to touch or cold
Swelling in the affected limb
Changes in skin color, temperature, or texture
Joint stiffness and muscle weakness

Symptoms can vary and may spread beyond the initial site of injury.

What causes CRPS?

The exact cause of CRPS isn’t fully understood, but it may involve dysfunction in the peripheral and central nervous systems. There are two types:

CRPS-I: Occurs without confirmed nerve damage (formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy)
CRPS-II: Involves confirmed nerve injury (previously called causalgia)

In either case, the nerves in the affected area misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain.

How is CRPS treated?

Early intervention is key to managing CRPS effectively. At Spinal Diagnostics, we create personalized treatment plans that may include:

Medications to relieve nerve pain and inflammation
Physical therapy to improve function and mobility
Sympathetic nerve blocks to interrupt pain signals
Spinal cord stimulation for long-term relief
Psychological support to manage the emotional impact of chronic pain

Our goal is to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.

If you suspect you may be experiencing CRPS after an injury, contact us today to schedule an evaluation at one of our Oregon locations.

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