What is it about ?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disease also known as dystrophy, algoneurodystrophy, Südeck’s atrophy, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The syndrome occurs after trauma to a part of the body following an operation, an injury (for example a fracture) or a stroke. Usually, complaints are localized in a specific area of the body, most often around the initial lesion.
The mechanism of appearance of the syndrome is not clearly established. The nervous system may play an important role in this. It is believed that a communication problem between the nerves and blood vessels in the affected area is interfering with the healing process. It is also possible that certain genetic factors influence the onset of the disease. Some people would therefore be more sensitive to it than others.
How to recognize it?
A person with CRPS experiences severe pain in the part of the body that is affected. Most of the time, it is a vague, throbbing, burning-like pain that does not go away. The slightest touch hurts. The patient may even experience temperature variations as painful. After a while, the painful area swells. And the skin changes color. The affected area may sweat, while other areas of the body do not. This is the so-called “hot” phase. Then, about 3 months after the onset of symptoms, the skin may appear delicate and fragile. The painful area is rather cool to the touch and may turn blue. The muscles visibly weaken. This is the so-called “cold” phase.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of CRPS is primarily a clinical diagnosis. This means that the doctor will make the diagnosis based on your story and the appearance of the affected area.
To date, there is no test capable of correctly objectifying CRPS.
What can you do ?
When you have suffered an injury to a limb, it is important to mobilize it properly during the healing phase. Rehabilitation of the limb with a physiotherapist is the cornerstone of any rehabilitation process. Not only does it decrease the risk of CRPS after injury, but it is also of great importance in curing CRPS. Good rehabilitation requires a lot of patience.
What can your doctor do?
The treatment of CRPS requires good cooperation between the doctor, the psychologist and the physiotherapist. The physiotherapist accompanies you in your rehabilitation exercises, the psychologist can help you cope better with the situation and manage the pain, and the doctor can prescribe pain treatment.
Pain is triggered by nervous stimuli. This is why some medicines for depression or epilepsy have an effect on this type of pain. They can therefore be prescribed to you.
If the drugs and physiotherapy sessions do not work after a few weeks, the general practitioner or specialist may refer you to a clinic specializing in pain management. This type of center has specific techniques for treating pain.