Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare condition that causes chronic burning pain in one of your limbs, usually in one of your arms, legs, hands or feet.

The condition used to be known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, but the name was changed when more was discovered about the possible causes of CRPS.

There are two types of CRPS

CRPS is usually triggered by a previous injury or trauma (damage to the body's tissue). The two types of CRPS are outlined below.

• Type 1 is triggered by an apparently trivial injury, where no nerve damage has occurred, such as a sprained or fractured ankle.
• Type 2 is triggered by a more serious injury such as a broken bone; or other type of trauma, such as an operation; or serious infection, where damage to the nerves has taken place.

The most common type of CRPS is type 1, which occurs in about 90% of all cases.

Who is affected by CRPS?

It is difficult to estimate the number of people who are affected by CRPS in England and Wales because the condition can be a difficult to diagnose. Also, as some people only experience mild symptoms, they do not report the condition to their GP. One study estimates that CRPS occurs after one in every 2,000 accidents or incidents of trauma.

CRPS is more common in people who are between 40-60 years of age, but the condition can affect people of any age, including children. Cases of CRPS are more common in women than in men.

Symptoms of CRPS can range from mild to severe. Some people experience repeated episodes of CRPS throughout their life. In other cases, people achieve remission from their symptoms after a few months.

Treatment for CRPS involves a combination of physiotherapy and medicines to relieve pain. Treatment is usually most effective when it is started straight after diagnosis has been made.