CRPS Treatment in Southlake

Here discuss about CRPS Treatment in Southlake : Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a type of chronic pain that commonly affects an arm or a leg. It usually develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. The pain is usually excruciating and worse than the underlying cause of the pain. 

Causes of CRPS

CRPS is thought to be caused by an injury or abnormality of the peripheral and central nervous systems. CRPS usually occurs after a trauma, injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack.

CRPS occurs in two types which include:

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)

This is Type 1 CRPS, which occurs after an illness or injury that didn’t directly damage the nerves in the affected limb. About 90% of the total number of people with CRPS have type 1.

• Causalgia

This is Type 2 CRPS. It has similar symptoms with type 1 but occurs after a distinct nerve injury.

Causes of CRPS include:

 

• Trauma to the arm or leg
• Injury or fracture to the arm or leg
• Surgery
• Heart attacks
• Stroke
• Infections
• Sprained ankles
• Dysfunctional interaction between the central and peripheral nervous systems
• Inappropriate inflammatory responses

Symptoms

Symptoms of CRPS include:

• Continuous burning or throbbing pain in the arm, leg, hand, or foot
• Sensitivity to touch
• Swelling around the affected area
• Changes in skin temperature
• Changes in skin color, such as from white and blotchy to red or blue
• Changes in skin texture around the affected area
• Changes in hair and nail growth
• Joint stiffness
• Joint inflammation and damage
• Muscle spasms, tremors, and weakness
• Muscle loss
• Reduced mobility around the affected part

Treatment for CRPS

 

Early treatment provides better results. A combination of different treatments can also provide better results.

Treatment options include:

Medications

There are various medications used to treat CRPS. These include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers

OTC pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may help relieve mild pain and inflammation associated with CRPS.

• Prescription pain relievers

If OTC pain relievers are not effective, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers such as opioid medications. Opioids may be more effective. Opioids are addictive and should be taken for only a short period of time.

• Antidepressants and anticonvulsants

Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin may be used to treat pain that is caused by a damaged nerve.

• Corticosteroid 

Injecting corticosteroid, such as prednisone into the affected area may reduce inflammation and reduce pain. It may also improve mobility in the affected arm or leg.

• Bone-loss medications

In cases of bone loss, your doctor may prescribe medications such as alendronate and calcitonin to prevent or stall bone loss.

• Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication

Injecting an anesthetic in the affected nerves to block pain fibers may help relieve pain.

Therapies

Certain therapies can also help to relieve symptoms of CRPS. These include:

• Heat therapy

Applying heat to the affected area may provide relief of swelling and discomfort on the skin that feels cool.

• Topical analgesics

Various topical analgesics are available that may help to reduce hypersensitivity. These include over-the-counter capsaicin cream, or lidocaine cream or patches.

• Physical or occupational therapy

Certain physical or occupational therapy such as gentle, guided exercising of the affected limbs may help reduce pain and improve mobility.

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

TENS is an electrical nerve stimulation that can help reduce nerve pain.

• Biofeedback

Learning biofeedback techniques may help improve your symptoms. You can learn how to become more aware of your body so that you can relax better to relieve pain.

• Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure provided for pain relief. A small electrical current is delivered to the spinal cord, resulting in pain relief.

• Intrathecal drug pump

Instead of taking drugs orally, intrathecal drug pumps medications into the spinal cord fluid for better results.

• Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting long, thin needles into the affected area to stimulate the nerves, muscles, and connective tissues so as to increase blood flow and relieve pain.

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