CRPS is an uncommon condition in which an area of the body develops chronic pain and other symptoms. It often follows a minor injury, such as a sprain, but the pain, sensitivity, and other symptoms remain long after the injury has resolved.
CRPS Signs & Symptoms
Whereas some pain conditions only lead to symptoms that the patient can feel, CRPS comes with a number of signs that are evident to other people. These will vary from case to case, but can include:
- changes to hair and nail growth (growing faster or slower than normal, nails becoming grooved)
- soft tissue swelling
- tremors
- skin colour changes: redness, or a blue tinge
- skin becoming more sweaty or drier
- areas of reduced bone density (osteoporosis)
The Nature of the Pain
In terms of symptoms, the pain tends to come under the two main umbrellas of chronic pain:
- hyperalgesia: where pain is more intense than it would normally be
- allodynia: where normally non-painful sensations become painful
The area may be more sensitive to light or firm touch, temperature, or vibration. These stimuli can lead to a stinging, burning, or stabbing pain. There may also be pins and needles, or odd sensations like a feeling of running water on the limb. Some patients also feel that the affected limb is bigger or smaller than it usually does.
Development and Prognosis of CRPS
CRPS often follows an injury or surgery. Symptoms and progression are highly variable from person to person, but roughly 85% of cases resolve within 6-18 months. Symptoms of swelling, heat, and redness are more common in the early stages, and may develop into “cold” symptoms later on.
Managing CRPS
You may be referred to a pain clinic to help you manage the pain. It may be a slow process to get the referral, as diagnosis is typically somewhat complicated. When you present to your GP with CRPS symptoms, they will likely want to run a few tests to rule out other causes of pain. These include tests for rheumatoid arthritis, like blood tests, and MRIs or X-Rays to check for tissue damage.
Chronic pain conditions can be really difficult to differentiate between. Keeping track of your symptoms and patterns in a diary can be very helpful. See if there are any relationships with hormonal, dietary, or activity factors.
Your osteopath has some techniques that may help you to manage your symptoms. You might find that your pain responds well to a gradual increase in joint movement or other stimulus. We can use soft touch, massage, and joint mobilisation within a comfortable range for you. Where this is helpful, we can give you similar exercises to continue your progress at home.
As always, we will consider the body as a whole, and look elsewhere to ensure that the area affected by CRPS is not causing other issues. Working to keep the rest of the body loose and mobile is generally a good idea for preventative management.
