CRPS
Key points
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a Chronic pain syndrome with two forms.
- CRPS 1 currently replaces the term "Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome".
- It is a chronic nerve disorder that occurs most often in the arms or legs after a minor or major injury.
- CRPS 1 is associated with severe pain; changes in the nails, bone, and skin; and an increased sensitivity to touch in the affected limb.
Alternative names
Complex regional pain syndrome; RSDS; Causalgia; Shoulder-hand syndrome; Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome; Sudeck's atrophy
Definition
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a Chronic pain syndrome with two forms. CRPS 1 currently replaces the term "Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome". It is a chronic nerve disorder that occurs most often in the arms or legs after a minor or major injury.
CRPS 1 is associated with severe pain; changes in the nails, bone, and skin; and an increased sensitivity to touch in the affected limb. CRPS 2 replaces the term causalgia, and results from an identified injury to the nerve.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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