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Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a condition that involves chronic pain in the foot, leg, hand, or arm. It typically arises after you experience a traumatic medical event, such as surgery, or injury to a limb or extremity. However, doctors and researchers are not entirely sure why one person may develop CRPS and another may not. They believe the condition develops because of a damaged or malfunctioning nervous system. CRPS is divided into two types. In Type I Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which used to be called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), you do not have any underlying nerve damage in the affected area. In Type II, you will have been diagnosed with nerve damage in the area experiencing pain.Signs of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
One of the most significant symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is chronic pain. This means you feel persistent, significant pain for at least six months. The pain can differ from person to person. You may describe it as pressure, pins and needles, a burning sensation, numbness, or as if someone is squeezing that part of your body. However, there are also other signs of CRPS. You may experience:- Stiffness and swelling around your joints;
- Decreased mobility in that part of your body;
- Increased skin sensitivity;
- Changes in the color of your skin;
- Changes in the temperature of your skin;
- Changes in the texture of your skin; and
- Changes in the growth of your hair and nails on the affected limb.