The key symptom of complex regional pain syndrome is continuous, intense pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the injury. Furthermore, the pain gets worse rather than better over time.

 

Complex regional pain syndrome most often affects one of the arms, legs, hands, or feet. Often, the pain spreads to include the entire arm or leg. Typical features of complex regional pain syndrome pain include dramatic changes in the color and temperature of the skin over the affected limb or body part, accompanied by intense burning pain, skin sensitivity, sweating, and swelling.