Overview
What is CRPS?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is chronic pain that typically affects one limb after an injury or surgery. It can cause intense pain, swelling, and changes in skin color or temperature.
How common is it?
It’s rare, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. each year.
What are the symptoms of CRPS?
- Burning or throbbing pain
- Swelling and sensitivity to touch
- Skin temperature or color changes
- Joint stiffness
What causes CRPS?
The exact cause is unclear, but it’s often triggered by nerve damage or a malfunction in pain signaling after trauma.
What are the risk factors?
- Fractures or sprains
- Surgery
- Nerve injuries
- Female sex and middle age
When does it usually start?
CRPS often develops within weeks after an injury or surgery.