Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Print Version)

Also called: Also called: Causalgia, CRPS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon nerve disorder. It causes intense pain, usually in the arms, hands, legs or feet. It happens after an injury, either to a nerve or to tissue in the affected area. Rest and time may only make it worse. Doctors are not sure what causes it.

Symptoms in the affected area are

Dramatic changes in temperature and color
Intense burning pain
Extreme skin sensitivity

The cause of CRPS is unknown, and there is no cure. It can get worse over time, and may spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally it goes away, either temporarily or for good. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain, and can include medicines, physical therapy and nerve blocks.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - In English and Spanish - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm

Overviews

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/238.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/238.printerview.html
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/DS00265/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/sindrome_de_dolor_regional_complejo.htm
Facts & Fiction about Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy & Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - http://www.rsds.org/2/fact_fiction/index.html
Recognizing, Understanding, and Treating CRPS/RSD(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/pdf/recognizing_understanding_treatingCRPS_RSD.pdf

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Telltale Signs and Symptoms of CRPS Type 1/RSD(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/pdf/handicard_5_05.pdf

Treatment

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PatientsPublic/HandConditions/ReflexSympatheticDystrophyRSD/Reflex_Sympathetic_.htm
Treating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Guide for Therapy(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/pdf/ptotbrochure_604.pdf

Related Issues

CRPS/RSD and Sports Injuries: Prevention Is the Name of the Game(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/pdf/SportsInjuryBrochure.pdf
Hospital Protocol RSD/CRPS Patient: Handle with Care!(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/4/resources/pdf/hospital_protocol.pdf

Financial Issues

In Pain, Out of Work and Can't Pay the Bills: A Resource Directory for People with RSD/CRPS(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - http://www.rsds.org/4/resources/out_work/out_of_work_2.html

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Causalgia(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Causalgia%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Complex Regional Pain Syndromes(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Complex+Regional+Pain+Syndromes%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Reflex+Sympathetic+Dystrophy%22

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Complex regional pain syndrome (type 1): a comparison of 2... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18716503&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Clinical outcome of cementless semi-constrained trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty, and possible effect... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18686455&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS/RSD) and neuropathic pain: role of... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18661047&tool=MedlinePlus
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=complex+regional+pain+syndromes[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Organizations

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America - http://www.rsds.org/index2.html

Children

Helping Children/ Youth with RSD/ CRPS Succeed in School(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - Links to PDF - http://www.rsds.org/4/resources/pdf/helping_children.pdf
Your Child Is Diagnosed with CRPS(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - http://www.rsds.org/4/youth/your_child_is_diagnosed.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pain.html
Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/