National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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National Institutes of Health
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Also called: Causalgia, CRPS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition. It causes intense pain, usually in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. It may happen after an injury, either to a nerve or to tissue in the affected area. Rest and time may only make it worse.
Symptoms in the affected area are
- Dramatic changes in skin temperature, color, or texture
- Intense burning pain
- Extreme skin sensitivity
- Swelling and stiffness in affected joints
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
The cause of CRPS is unknown. There is no specific diagnostic test. Your doctor will diagnose CRPS based on your signs and symptoms.
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.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Start Here
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
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Overviews
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
- Also available in Spanish
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
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Treatment
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(American Society for Surgery of the Hand)
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Related Issues
- CRPS/RSD and Sports Injuries: Prevention Is the Name of the Game(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - PDF
- Hospital Protocol RSD/CRPS Patient: Handle with Care!(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - PDF
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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)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Causalgia(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Complex Regional Pain Syndromes(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Causalgia
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Amputation for long-standing, therapy-resistant type-I complex regional pain syndrome.
- Article: Therapeutic effect of acupuncture and massage for shoulder-hand syndrome in...
- Article: Inflammation in complex regional pain syndrome: a systematic review and...
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome -- see more articles
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Organizations
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Children
- Helping Children/ Youth with RSD/ CRPS Succeed in School(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America) - PDF
- Your Child Is Diagnosed with CRPS(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America)
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Patient Handouts
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Also available in Spanish
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Also available in Spanish
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