Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are the same conditions.  The terms are used interchangeably.  RSD is the older term, and replaced by CPRS because it better describes the symptoms of this chronic pain condition.

Symptoms of a body area affected by RSD/CPRS include:

  • Severe, intense pain
  • Burning pain
  • Inflammation, swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Skin hypersensitivity
  • Skin color changes; pale, red, purple, blotchy
  • Skin texture changes; sweaty, thin, shiny
  • Skin temperature changes; warm, hot, cool, cold
  • Difficulty moving the body area (e.g., hand, arm, leg, foot)
  • Hair growth changes
  • Growth changes of finger and toe nails

Possible Causes

Complex regional pain syndrome is thought to be caused by dysfunction of the central and/or peripheral nervous systems, or triggered by the body’s immune response.

  • The central nervous system is the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.
  • The peripheral nervous system is the nerves that have branched off nerve roots and extend through the body such one arm or a hand.
  • An immune response is how the body reacts to a harmful substance, such as a chemical.

Diagnostic examination

The purpose of the diagnostic examination is learning about your complex regional pain syndrome; its trigger and pain characteristics (e.g., location, pattern).   The Center for Neurosurgical and Spinal Disorders uses this information, which includes your medical history in developing your treatment plan.

Questions The Center for Neurosurgical and Spinal Disorders may ask include:

  • When did symptoms start?
  • Where do you feel pain?
  • Did a particular event precede pain?
  • Have pain and other symptoms improved or worsened?
  • Does pain radiate into another part of your body?
  • On a scale of zero (no pain) to 10 (agony), what is your current pain level?
  • How does RSD/CRPS affect your ability to work or perform ordinary activities of daily life?
  • Do pain and symptoms disrupt your sleep?
  • Other questions specifically related to you and your symptoms.

Managing complex pain

Unfortunately, there is no cure for complex regional pain syndrome.  The focus of care is your pain and symptoms.  We combine non-operative interventional therapies that effectively control pain, restore mobility, and improve your quality of life.  Interventional means to ‘intervene’ to stop and manage pain.

Expert interventional spine care

We can help you manage the painful effects of reflex sympathetic dystrophy / complex regional pain syndrome.  Although no specialist can cure your symptoms, Our depth of experience and vast knowledge in the treatment of complex pain can help you to live a more fulfilling life.