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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) refers to a chronic condition affecting the nerves and blood vessels of one or more extremities. It is distinguished by extremely unpleasant burning sensations, swelling, sweating, color changes, and other distressing symptoms.
There are two types of CRPS:
CRPS 1 � (also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy or RSD) No nerve damage exists with this type.
CRPS 2 � (also called causalgia) This produces similar symptoms after a nerve injury has occurred.
The cause of CRPS is not known. The condition likely results from several factors. It may involve overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which directs automatic body functions that a person cannot willfully control. Inflammation also may play a role in the disorder.
Tests may include x-ray to check for signs of fracture and evidence of bone loss, bone scan�a special imaging test to check for early changes in bones, thermogram�to measure heat radiating from the body, which may be diminished in CRPS extremity, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)�a test which can quantify abnormality of the autonomic nervous system, such as sweating.
Treatment aims to relieve pain and improve function. Visit the doctor as soon as possible. Early therapy may lead to better outcomes. Treatment may include biofeedback, acupuncture, physical therapy, active and passive exercises help maintain function. exercising in a warm pool may feel better than exercising on land, transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), a device worn on the skin surface creates a tingling sensation and may relieve pain in some cases, medication, anti-anxietymedications, low-dose antidepressants, and drugs used to treat epilepsy may be effective, pain medications, such as narcotics, may be required to controlsevere pain, sometimes doctors will order other drugs to control symptoms, sympathetic nerve block, the injection of drugs that prevent the transmission of signals along sympathetic nerves may temporarily relieve pain in some cases, sympathectomy, if the nerve block is successful, a surgeon can permanently destroy sympathetic nerves. in some cases, surgery can worsen symptoms, psychological support, long-term pain often leads to depression or anxiety. counseling is often required to help patients deal with chronic pain and loss of function.
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