COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME also called RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) or Causalgia

CRPS has been referred to in the past by term such as "causalgia", and later, as RSD or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The term accepted now is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). There are two types, or divisions, type I is one in which there is not a specific major nerve injury, and type II is where there IS an identifiable nerve injury. It is a maddening problem for the person afflicted. There is not one test that positively identifies the condition, through things like thermography are used, and there is no cure, though things like nerve blocks, spinal stimulators, Fosamax, opiates, some blood pressure drugs, corticosteroid medications,are used. Most of these are not going to "fix" or cure the problem, but are meant as palliative approaches, meaning, just to treat the symptoms. In the later stages of this illness or clinical entity, there may be contractures , as muscles and ligaments contract and shorten. The extremity affected may initially swell, but later, there may be loss of muscle size. The extremity may get hot and cold, the skin can become thinner and "shiny", and the pain continues, and can increase to a stage that some people become suicidal. The problem usually starts with a trauma or injury to an extremity (arm / hand or foot / leg). The person often notices swelling of the extremity, and a horrible burning pain that tends to migrate toward the point of attachment (i.e. distal to proximal pain spreading).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CRPS
• RSD
• complex regional pain syndrome
• reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• causalgia
• nerve disorder
• legs
• arms
• feet
• foot
• hand
• hands
• leg
• arm
• immune system
• sympathetic