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  1. Complex regional pain syndrome - Treatment

    Verified Expert

    There's no known cure for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but a combination of physical therapies, medication and psychological support can help manage the symptoms.

    Medication

    Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): To control pain and inflammation.

    Aspirin . Ibuprofen . Naproxen

    Anticonvulsants: Prescribed to treat pain that is caused due to nerve damage.

    Gabapentin

    Corticosteroids: Reduce inflammation and improve mobility in the affected limb.

    Prednisone

    Bisphosphonates: It reduces the risk of bone loss.

    Alendronate . Pamidronate

    Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication: Injection of an anesthetic to block pain fibers in your affected nerves may relieve pain in some people.

    Bupivacaine . Epinephrine

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    Selfcare

    Verified Expert

    Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

    • Apply cold packs.
    • Use topical analgesics.
    • Use capsaicin cream or lidocaine patches: these reduce hypersensitivity.

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    Specialist

    Verified Expert

    Neurologist : Specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.

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    What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?
    StatPearls [Internet]. Saugat Dey; Kevin B. Guthmiller; Matthew Varacallo. Last Update: August 7, 2023. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder defined by the presence of distinct clinical features, including allodynia, hyperalgesia, sudomotor and vasomotor abnormalities, and trophic changes.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Diagnosis is made based on physical examination and a review of medical history. There is no single test to confirm CPRS.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: The doctor observes the site of pain for changes in the skin color, texture and temperature. They will also examine the mobility of limbs.

    Nerve conduction test: To measure the electrical activity of nerves. Abnormal readings indicate nerve damage.

    Bone scan: To detect the changes in the bone.

    Thermography: To measure skin temperature at different parts of the body. CPRS patients show abnormally high, or abnormally low temperatures in the affected areas.

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Treatment
    Selfcare
    Specialist
    What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?
    Diagnosis
    Health guide
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  1. 42 out of 50
    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is classed as the most painful chronic pain condition that is known. It reaches approximately 42 out of 50 on the McGill Pain Scale, higher than non-terminal cancer and higher than amputation of a finger without anesthesia. In some research, CRPS Type II can reach as high as 47 out of 501. The sensory profile of CRPS Type 1 includes parameters such as detection thresholds, pain thresholds, temporal summation or wind up ratio, conditioned pain modulation, mechanical pain sensitivity, dynamic mechanical allodynia, flare area, pain area after pinprick-induced hyperalgesia, current perception threshold, electric pain threshold, and pain ratings after thermal and mechanical stimuli2.
    Learn more:
    CRPS, is classed as the most painful chronic pain condition that is known. It reaches approx 42 out of 50 on the McGill Pain Scale, higher than non-terminal cancer, higher than amputation of a finger without anaesthesia… In some research it has been said that CRPS Type II can reach as high as 47 out of 50.

    Pain Scale | What is CRPS? | CRPS Inform…

    www.burningnightscrps.org/crps/crps-information/w…

    The main included parameters to study the sensory profile of CRPS type 1 were (1) detection thresholds including warm detection threshold (WDT), cold detection threshold (CDT), thermal sensory limen (TSL), vibration detection threshold (VDT), and mechanical detection threshold (MDT); (2) pain thresholds including heat pain threshold (HPT), cold pain threshold (CPT), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and mechanical pain threshold...

    Pain mechanisms in complex regional pai…

    josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13…
  2. People also ask
    Is complex regional pain syndrome a complex multifactorial disease?
    There have been some modest recent advancements in the research of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, yet the amount and quality of the work in this complicated multifactorial disease remains low (with some notable exceptions; e.g., the recent work on the dorsal root ganglion stimulation).

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment

    academic.oup.com
    How is complex regional pain syndrome diagnosed?

    Dr. Robert H. Shmerling

    M.D. Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 30 years of exp

    There is no individual test to establish the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome. In practice, the diagnosis depends on the combination of symptoms, physical examination findings, selective testing and the exclusion of other conditions. Criteria for the diagnosis include the following: • Chronic pain without clear explanation • At least 3 of the following 4 reported symptoms – o Excessive sensitivity or pain to stimulation that ordinarily doesn’t cause discomfort o Abnormal temperature or skin color (such as one arm feeling cooler to the touch or appearing redder than the other) o Swelling or changes in sweating in an extremity o Reduced motion or function in an extremity and/or abnormal hair, skin or nails • At least 2 of the following 4 examination findings – o Excessive sensitivity to pinprick or excessive pain to light touch, temperature, pressure or movement o Temperature or skin color difference between extremities o Swelling or abnormal sweating o Decreased range of motion or function or changes in skin, nail or hair Testing may include x-rays, a bone scan and measures of skin temperature.
    1 more answer
    bing.com
    What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?
    StatPearls [Internet]. Saugat Dey; Kevin B. Guthmiller; Matthew Varacallo. Last Update: August 7, 2023. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder defined by the presence of distinct clinical features, including allodynia, hyperalgesia, sudomotor and vasomotor abnormalities, and trophic changes.

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
    How is complex regional pain syndrome treated?
    The mainstay of treatment is to improve function of the affected body part and to decrease pain; therefore, treatment requires multiple modalities, including medications, behavioral health interventions, and referral to a pain specialist. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare, chronic pain disorder.

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | AAFP

    aafp.org
    How does complex regional pain syndrome affect quality of life?

    Dr. Alex T. Thomas

    MD · 40 years of exp

    Complex regional pain syndrome affects quality of life severely. Continuous pain, swelling of the painful area, stiffness, swelling, and discoloration in the affected limb can affect quality of life.
    +3 more answers
    bing.com
    Do patients with complex regional pain syndrome overestimate applied force?
    Hotta J, Harno H, Nummenmaa L, Kalso E, Hari R, Forss N. Patients with complex regional pain syndrome overestimate applied force in observed hand actions. Eur J Pain. 2015;19 (9):1372-81. ↑ PENTLAND, B. Parkinsonism and dystonia.

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Physiopedia

    physio-pedia.com
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  3. burningnightscrps.org
    https://www.burningnightscrps.org/.../pain-scale

    Pain Scale | What is CRPS? | CRPS Information - Burning Nights CRPS

    • RSD Disease

      What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)? Complex Regional Pain …

      See results only from burningnightscrps.org
    • National Center for Biotechnology Information
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430719

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - StatPearls - NCBI …

      Aug 7, 2023 · Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder defined by the presence of distinct clinical features, including allodynia, hyperalgesia, sudomotor and vasomotor abnormalities, and trophic changes.

    • Physiopedia
      https://www.physio-pedia.com/Complex_Regional_Pain_Syndrome

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Physiopedia

    • nih.gov
      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9186375

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and …

    • UpToDate
      https://www.uptodate.com/contents/complex-regional...

      Complex regional pain syndrome in adults: Treatment ... - UpToDate

    • Mayo Clinic
      https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

      Complex regional pain syndrome - Symptoms & causes - Mayo …

    • AAFP
      https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2…

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | AAFP

      Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare, chronic pain disorder. It is challenging for patients and physicians because it leads to significant morbidity due to chronic pain that may last...

    • lww.com
      https://journals.lww.com/pain/Fulltext/202…

      Screening and diagnostic tools for complex regional …

      Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a severely painful condition that presents with a constellation of symptoms. The understanding of the pathophysiology of CRPS has evolved over time, as have the diagnostic criteria.

    • Oxford Academic
      https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/23/...

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and …

    • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
      https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/...

      Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | National Institute of …