Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a complicated condition that can be difficult to manage without professional care. At Liberty Pain Associates in Flower Mound and Fort Worth, Texas, pain management specialist Sathya Bhandari, MD, works hand in hand with a licensed physical and occupational therapist to target CRPS. Call the nearest office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome, commonly called CRPS, is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one arm or leg. CRPS often develops after an injury. Though the injury has already healed, pain can persist long-term. The pain is usually more intense than the initial damage, and it can increase over time.

What are the signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome symptoms can vary, but they commonly include:

• Sensitivity to temperature changes
• Pain in a single arm, hand, leg, or foot
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness
• White, red, or blue-tinged skin
• Shiny skin texture
• Abnormal hair or nail growth
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty moving affected body parts

As CRPS progresses, the affected limb can turn cold, pale, and hypersensitive. Dr. Bhandari may perform a physical exam and recommend imaging scans or bloodwork to create your personalized treatment plan.

What causes complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome usually occurs after a traumatic injury or surgical procedure. While experts don’t know exactly why it develops, they believe CRPS is the result of central or peripheral nervous system damage.

There are two types of CRPS:

Type 1 CRPS

Type 1 is the most common type of CRPS, and it doesn’t originate from the affected arm or leg.

Type 2 CRPS

If you have type 2, you may have a damaged nerve in the affected limb.

What are the treatments for complex regional pain syndrome?

At Liberty Pain Associates, Dr. Bhandari performs many treatments for complex regional pain syndrome, including:

Sympathetic nerve blocks

Sympathetic nerve blocks treat pain that affects the sympathetic nervous symptom, which controls blood flow, digestion, and other involuntary functions. Dr. Bhandari specializes in stellate ganglion, lumbar sympathetic, and ganglion impar blocks.

Medication management

Managing multiple medications can be a challenge when you have chronic pain from CRPS. Dr. Bhandari offers medication management to help track, monitor, and evaluate your prescriptions.

Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses electrical impulses to interfere with the nerve signals that cause pain. The treatment is ideal for chronic pain, and Dr. Bhandari can treat post-amputation pain and advanced CRPS with spinal cord stimulation.

Call Liberty Pain Associates today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about treatment options for complex regional pain syndrome.