To help in diagnosing complex regional pain syndrome, the doctor will first take a detailed medical history, which includes asking questions about a person's general health, symptoms, family medical history, and history of trauma. The doctor will also do a complete physical exam to check for other signs of CRPS and may recommend certain tests.

Treatment Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Because there is no cure for complex regional pain syndrome, treatments for CRPS are aimed at relieving painful symptoms so that people can live normal lives. CRPS treatment options include:

Psychotherapy
Physical therapy
Medications
Surgical sympathectomy
Intrathecal drug pumps
Spinal cord stimulation.

Prognosis With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

The prognosis for complex regional pain syndrome varies from person to person, and doctors are not sure of the factors that affect a person's prognosis.

Spontaneous remission from symptoms occurs in some people. Others can have unremitting pain and crippling, irreversible changes in spite of treatment. Some doctors believe that early treatment is helpful in limiting complex regional pain syndrome, although clinical studies do not yet support this belief.

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CRPS

Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

RSD

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Pain

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