Treatment of pain in complex regional pain syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that lasts longer and is more severe than expected given the initial tissue damage, divided into 2 groups by the International Pain Society:
CRPS group I (Reflex sympathetic dystrophy-RSD): pain that occurs after soft tissue or bone injury CRPS class II (stinging pain): usually occurs after nerve injury. marked by severe heat or pain, swelling, or discoloration of the skin. Other symptoms of the disease include:
Autonomic disorders: sweating, vasomotor disturbances Movement changes: muscle weakness, cramps Nutritional changes: skin atrophy, bone loss, hair loss, joint stiffness

Symptoms of regional complex pain vary greatly from case to case and do not follow a pattern, including sensory, local autonomic, and motor abnormalities. This syndrome can be thought of in the following cases:
The patient has a burning, aching pain that is fairly common, not distributed in the path of a single peripheral nerve, pain increases with changes environmental change or mental stress. There may be paresthesias and increased pain that limit the movement of one limb. Skin vasomotor changes causing red, mottled or pale skin, changes in temperature Automatic sweating abnormalities: dry skin or increased sweating May be significant and localized to one area Symptoms Nutritional abnormalities such as skin hypotrophy, cracked or brittle nails, bone atrophy, hair loss Movement abnormalities: weakness, tremors, contractures, dystonia of the fingers fixed at the flexed toe or flexed foot saddle Limited range of motion, sometimes leading to stiffness Mental disorders (depression, anxiety, anger) are also quite common In summary, the following 4 criteria must be met to confirm the diagnosis of CRPS including:
Presence of pain (usually burning) Paresthesias or increased pain Local autonomic disturbances (vasoconstriction or dyshidrosis) No evidence of other pathology that could explain the symptoms

Regional complex pain syndrome may progress and go into remission if treatment is started within a few months of the onset of symptoms. Treatment is mainly with multi-therapy (medical, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve block, psychotherapy).

There are many medications used for nerve pain including:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium Antidepressants (amitriptyline) and anticonvulsants (Gabapentin) are used to treat pain stem from a nerve damage Corticosteroids (prednisolone) can reduce inflammation Nerve blockers: injecting anesthetics to block affected nerve fibers that cause pain may relieve pain in some people.

Heat and cold: cryotherapy can help reduce swelling and sweating while heat helps support cold-affected areas Physical therapy: gentle, guided therapy of the affected extremities can improve range of motion and strength Electrical nerve stimulation: applying electrical impulses to nerves can relieve chronic pain Biofeedback: Biofeedback training techniques may help patients in some cases to become more aware of the body, relax the body, relieve pain Spinal cord stimulation: electrodes are inserted along the spine and a small electrical source stimulates the spinal cord to relieve pain Regional complex pain syndrome will have Prognosis is good if the patient is detected and treated early. Some patients can go into remission or stay stable for many years. However, in some people the disease can progress and spread to other organs. Early diagnosis and treatment will help the treatment process to be effective. Therefore, when symptoms of complex localized pain syndrome appear, it is necessary to immediately go to a medical facility for examination and timely intervention.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. examination and treatment of complex local pain syndrome in hospital.