What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) as it was previously known

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as RSD ( Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) or causalgia, is a chronic systemic disease involving the nervous system, characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin.  CRPS is expected to worsen over time.  CRPS initially affects one or more of the four limbs but can occur in any part of the body and often spreads throughout the body. 

The onset of CRPS usually follows an injury or trauma such as surgery.  There are two types, CRPS type 1 usually relates to trauma or injury which can be quite mild such spraining an ankle and CRPS type 2 is caused by a proven nerve injury such as surgery.  After the original injury has healed the brain keeps sending pain signals, even when no tissue damage is present. 

Remission is sometimes possible especially if CRPS is recognized and treated early.  It is unusual, but sometimes remission can happen a few years after the onset, so never give up hope. 

The main symptoms are:

Persistent moderate to severe pain.  Pain can include burning, spontaneous severe shooting pains, stabbing pains or throbbing pain.  All have a debilitating effect. 

Allodynia or skin sensitivity -intense pain with the slightest touch exacerbated by such simple items as contact with bed sheets,

Vibration such as traveling in a car or movement of the limb can also trigger pain. 

Swelling (edema), sweating. 

Joint stiffness and decreased ability to move the affected limb. 

Loss of minerals in the bones and atrophy. 

Muscle pain, muscle spasms and weakness. 

Inflammation. 

Changes in skin temperature and colour which is often bright red or purple. 

Some More Facts

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is poorly understood by patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.  In some cases the condition is mild, in some it is moderate, and in others it is severe. 

CRPS is a malfunction of part of the nervous system.  Nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain.  It develops in response to an event the body regards as traumatic, such as an accident or a medical procedure.  This syndrome may follow 5% of all nerve injuries.1,2

CRPS is two to three times more frequent in females than males. 

The mean age at diagnosis is 42 years.  However, we are seeing more injuries among young girls, and children as young as 3 years old can get CRPS. 

CRPS is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe and relentless pain.  Our knowledge of the incidence and prevalence of CRPS is incomplete.  We hope that RSDSA’s efforts to increase awareness and reporting of CRPS will increase the accuracy of the prevalence and incidence numbers.