Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
This section about complex regional pain
syndrome is not intended as a comprehensive source of medical
information, but as a hub for links to other more detailed
sources.
If you find this section
useful, please support our Foundation by clicking
here.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition,
which develops after an injury, and continues after the injury
has healed. The underlying cause of the condition is unknown.
CRPS I was previously called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
(RSD). The condition is associated with an injury, such as
a bone fracture, or surgery to an arm or leg.
CRPS II, was previously called causalgia. This condition
is associated with an injury, to a nerve.
Symptoms of CRPS include pain, stiffness, skin sensitivity,
sudden changes in colour, warmth, and sweating, changes in
skin and hair growth, swelling and tremors.
Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and increasing mobility
in the limb. Physical therapy and occupational therapy aimed
at increasing mobility in the limb is very helpful. Psychological
support, as in any chronic pain syndrome is also very helpful.
Early mobilization of an injured limb helps to prevent CRPS.
If you have a pain problem, which needs treatment
you should contact your own doctor who can refer you to a
pain clinic in your area. This site is for information only
and cannot be treated as a substitute for the medical advice
of your own doctor. The Pain Relief Foundation is not able
to offer individual medical advice.
Dealing With Pain Series: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
The Pain Relief Foundation has produced it's own leaflet
containing some simple information on complex regional
pain syndrome which is available to download in PDF
format:-
N.B. Requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view. If you don't have
the Acrobat reader you can download it here
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Useful Websites:
There are many sites on the World Wide Web
offering information to people about chronic pain and its
treatment. The suggested links, to websites providing such
information, from this website are considered by the doctors
at the Pain Relief Foundation to be useful and informative.
If you know of a good web site about chronic pain then we
would be pleased to hear your recommendation.
The Pain Relief Foundation is not responsible
for the content of these web sites, and does not endorse any
commercial product or service mentioned or advised on these
sites.
- StopPain.org:
The Department of Pain medicine and Palliative care
at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York.
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Support Organisations in the UK:
- RSD UK:
RSD UK is a voluntary non-profit making group set
up to give support to those concerned with Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
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