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CRPS

Pain Solutions -  - Pain Management Physician

Pain Solutions

PAIN MANAGEMENT PHYSICIANS LOCATED IN NASHUA, NH, CONCORD, NH & GILFORD, NH

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) causes long-lasting pain that’s typically focused in an arm or leg. If you’re dealing with this kind of chronic pain, it can be challenging and aggravating, as CRPS rarely responds to traditional treatments. At Pain Solutions, experienced pain management physicians James Mirazita, MD, and PK Suchdev, MD, offer the most innovative CRPS treatments to help you live without pain. Call any of the three locations in Nashua, Gilford, and Concord, New Hampshire, or click the online booking tool now.

CRPS Q & A

What is CRPS?

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that typically occurs in one of your arms, legs, hands, or feet. Many CRPS sufferers start having greater-than-expected pain following an injury, heart attack, stroke, or major surgery. There are two kinds of CRPS. 

CRPS-I

CRPS-I is by far the most common kind of CRPS. It occurs in sufferers whose original injury didn’t involve direct nerve damage to nerves in the affected limb.

CRPS-II

CRPS-II is rare, affecting only about 10% of all CRPS patients. Sufferers have direct nerve damage in the affected limb.

Symptoms of CRPS-I and CRPS-II are quite similar, which means treatment usually takes the same path.

CRPS is a complicated condition that the medical community is still learning about. One certainty is that early medical intervention is the best way to manage CRPS pain and even potentially achieve CRPS remission.


What are the symptoms of CRPS?

CRPS symptoms in the affected limb can include: 

  • Severe pain 
  • Burning 
  • Tingling
  • Rapid skin color changes
  • Skin temperature changes
  • Swelling 
  • Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Muscle spasms
  • Temperature sensitivity
  • Touch sensitivity
  • Skin texture changes, like unusually shiny skin

CRPS sufferers often say that the pain is the most persistent and difficult symptom, but there’s no doubt that the other symptoms can exacerbate the pain and make CRPS even more difficult to cope with.


What causes CRPS?

The cause of CRPS is not completely certain at this time, but many specialists believe it's related to central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (all nerves outside your brain and spinal cord) nervous system damage or malfunction. 


How do you treat CRPS?

Because it’s a complicated syndrome, CRPS treatment is often multifaceted. Your treatment may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and oral medications. 

Many CRPS sufferers also benefit greatly from nerve block injections in which your pain management specialist injects an anesthetic near your spinal cord. This prevents sympathetic nerve activity and can relieve pain.

Spinal cord stimulators are often a great treatment option for CRPS sufferers. These tiny implanted devices send controlled electrical currents to your spinal cord. It works by masking pain signals, and you control it using an external remote.

Another option is a pump, which sends medicine directly to your spine when you need it. 

The Pain Solutions team can help you find the optimal blend of treatments for CRPS, so call the office nearest you or book online now.