Debilitating pain in your limbs is not only frustrating, the pain robs you of the ability to function correctly, taking a toll on your independence. As a result, you might constantly need help to manage most of your routine activities. If you are struggling with complex regional pain syndrome in Eugene, the Pacific Sports and Spine specialists can help. The interventional pain experts provide innovative and effective treatment options to patients with CRPS to ease their disabling symptoms.
What Are The Causes Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Experts cannot pin the exact causes of the condition. However, they suspect that CRPS could result from nerve inflammation, general inflammation, and changes in your central nervous system’s perception of pain. CRPS happens in two ways, type 1and type 2. Though the causes are different, you will have similar symptoms. You will have type 1 (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) after an injury or illness damages a nerve in your affected limb. On the other hand, a distinct nerve injury will cause you to suffer from type 2 CRPS.
Most CRPS cases happen because of forceful trauma like a fracture or a crushing injury. If you fail to contact your doctor on time, the problem could result in disabling symptoms including:
- Atrophy (tissue wasting). Your muscles, skin, and tissues may weaken, making it difficult for you to move your limb because of stiffness and pain.
- Contracture (muscle tightening). Muscle tightening could force your foot and toes or hand and fingers to contract in a specific position.
What Are The Symptoms Of Crps?
Typically, pain is CRPS’s primary leading and disabling symptom, followed by temperature changes and swelling. However, severity and symptoms’ length vary in different people. Other CRPS symptoms include:
- Constant pain that worsens with time
- Spreading pain
- Skin swelling
- Extreme sensitivity
- Minimized motion range and loss of limb function
- Skin temperature changes
- Changes in skin color, texture, nail and hair growth
- Burning or throbbing sensation on the affected limb
- Joint swelling, stiffness, and damage
- Muscle spasms, weakness, and tremor
While some of the condition’s symptoms disappear without medical interventions, some of the signs you could have might last months or even years. Treatment is usually effective when you start early. If you fail to go for treatment, you will notice the affected limb turning cold and pale, with your muscles tightening. When the signs worsen, they could be irreversible.
What Treatment Options Will Your Doctor Recommend With Crps?
Your doctor will devise a treatment plan depending on your condition and symptoms’ severity. Therefore, your treatment options could include:
Medications. Your doctor will combine various medications to treat your CRPS symptoms. They include pain relievers, corticosteroids, sympathetic nerve-blocking medications, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
Therapies. Your care provider could also recommend multiple treatments to help minimize hypersensitivity, pain, and inflammation. The therapies include:
- Heat therapy
- Biofeedback
- Mirror therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Topical analgesics
- Occupational therapy
- Intrathecal drug pumps
- Acupuncture
CRPS could be disabling when you do not seek early treatment. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor when you start experiencing severe limb pain that makes movements intolerable. Schedule a CRPS appointment with the experts today for all your inquiries.