Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome Specialist

Pain Management Specialists

Board Certified Interventional Pain Management Physicians located in Rockville, MD & Frederick, MD

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) isn't common, but it can have a devastating effect on your life if it does affect you. At Pain Management Specialists, board-certified interventional pain management physicians Stuart Hough, MD, and Ramani Peruvemba, MD, specialize in using state-of-the-art treatments like dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation to treat the pain CRPS can cause. To find out more about the benefits of DRG stimulation for CRPS, call the Rockville or Frederick, Maryland, office today or book an appointment online.

Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an unusual condition that causes chronic, worsening pain that's concentrated on an arm or a leg.

As well as pain, CRPS can cause:

Sensory changes
"Pins and needles" sensation
Muscle spasms
Joint contracture
Temperature and color changes in the skin
Thinning of the skin and bones
Abnormal hair and nail growth
Allodynia (pain when touched)
Abnormal sweating
Problems moving the affected limb

Symptoms of CRPS tend to go through three stages of severity. The first two stages might last for several months each. If you reach the third stage, the condition can persist indefinitely.

CRPS has also been known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia, and some people still use these names.

What is the cause of complex regional pain syndrome?

It's not known for sure what triggers complex regional pain syndrome. There could be some type of dysfunction in your immune system, your nervous system, or both. There could well be a genetic link.

The symptoms of CRPS begin after a trauma, which could be a minor injury such as a strain or sprain, or a more serious injury like a fracture. Surgery can also trigger CRPS, especially if the procedure resulted in damage to your nerves.

How is complex regional pain syndrome treated?

The Pain Management Specialists team begins your treatment for CRPS with a combination of physical therapy and non-opioid medications to relieve your pain and improve physical function.

You could also benefit from learning pain management techniques and having counseling or psychotherapy to reduce the impact of CRPS on your mental health.

Nerve block injections can help by numbing the painful areas. These local anesthetic injections are only a temporary fix, but they do offer much-needed relief. Unfortunately, many patients with CRPS don't respond to these initial therapies.

What can I do if my CRPS isn't responding to treatment?

If you're one of the patients whose condition isn't improving using front-line treatments, the Pain Management Specialists team can help using an advanced form of neuromodulation called dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation.

The Proclaim™ DRG Neurostimulator System from Abbott is a cutting-edge device that works by interfering with how your brain receives pain signals from your nerves. You need to undergo a procedure to implant the device under your skin; you manage it via remote control.

If you have symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome, find a treatment that works by calling Pain Management Specialists today or booking an appointment online.

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