Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (formally 'Sympathetic Dystrophy')

Question 1

What is ‘Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?

Answer 1

A chronic pain condition affecting hands & feet (U/E L/E)

Question 2

What causes Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome?

Answer 2

Trauma or injury (damages PNS)

Surgery

Stroke

Over time input affects brain

Keep getting inflammatory responses even after trauma is healed (sympathetic nerve system keeps dilating blood vessels)

Question 3

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome impacts both central AND Peripheral nervous systems?
(TRUE/FALSE)?

Answer 3

TRUE!!

Question 4

What are the 2 types of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Answer 4

Type 1) Triggered by injury (not nerve damage)

Type 2) Linked to nerve damage

Question 5

***What are some ways to medically manage Complex Regional Pain syndrome?

Answer 5

Pain meds
Nerve Block
Surgery (to cut at the source - sympathetic nerve)
Spinal cord stimulation
Biofeedback
Mental & emotional support

Question 6

How is ‘Mirror Therapy’ used in rehab for Complex Regional Pain syndrome?

Answer 6

Use opposite hand to trick into thinking there is no pain
Gets the visual cortex to dominate
Usual input overcomes somatosensory input