Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
CRPS, formerly known as RSD, is a rare neuro-inflammatory disorder that causes severe inflammation in the sympathetic nervous system. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous system. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Symptoms in the affected area are typically:
Although the key symptom is pain that:
- Dramatic changes in skin temperature, color, or texture
- Intense burning pain
- Extreme skin sensitivity
- Swelling and stiffness in affected joints
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
Although the key symptom is pain that:
- Is intense and burning, and is usually much stronger than would be expected for the type of injury that occurred.
- Gets worse, rather than better over time.
- Begins at the point of injury, but may spread to the whole limb, or in some cases, to the arm or leg on the opposite side of the body.
CRPS is divided into two types: CRPS-I and CRPS-II. Individuals without a confirmed nerve injury are classified as having CRPS-I (previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy syndrome). Individuals with a confirmed nerve injury are classified as having CRPS-II (previously known as causalgia). Nonetheless, treatment is similar.
It is uncertain why some individuals develop CRPS while others with similar trauma do not. Studies say that close to 90 percent of all CRPS cases the condition is triggered by a clear history of trauma or injury. The most common triggers are fractures/sprains, a soft tissue injury (example: cuts, burns, or bruises), limb immobilization, surgery or sometimes even minor medical procedures such as a splinter. The biggest thing to know about CRPS, is that it represents an abnormal response that magnifies the effects of the actual injury.
the medical part of crps
Peripheral nerve abnormalities found in the individuals with CRPS usually involve the small unmyelinated and thinly myelinated sensory nerve fibers (axons) that carry pain messages and signals to blood vessels. (Myelin is a mixture of proteins and fat-like substances that surround and insulate some nerve fibers.) Because small fibers in the nerves communicate with blood vessels, injuries to the fibers may trigger the many different symptoms of CRPS. Molecules secreted from the ends of hyperactive small fibers are thought to contribute to inflammation and blood vessel abnormalities. These peripheral nerve abnormalities in turn trigger damage in the spinal cord and brain.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. NIH, January 2017.
- Blood vessels in the affected limb may dilate (open wider) or leak fluid into the surrounding tissue, causing red, swollen skin. The dilation and constriction of small blood vessels is controlled by small nerve fiber axons as well as chemical messengers in the blood. The underlying muscles and deeper tissues can become starved of oxygen and nutrients, which causes muscle and joint pain as well as damage. The blood vessels may over-constrict (clamp down), causing cold, white, or bluish skin.
- CRPS also affects the immune system. High levels of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) have been found in the tissues of people with CRPS. These contribute to the redness, swelling and warmth reported by many affected.
- CRPS is more common individuals with other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as Arthritis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. NIH, January 2017.
"Yes, hello, I'd like a refund on my body. It's kinda defective and really needy."
- anyone with a chronic illness
The nerves of CRPS
Your nervous system is involved in everything your body does, from regulating your breathing to controlling your muscles to sensing heat or cold. Your body contains three types of nerves.
CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction, of the peripheral and central nervous system. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
Inflammation is typically characterized as swelling. Irritated. Redness. Heat.
Now imagine that all together. Nerves…Inflamed. And constantly sending different areas of your body signals.
The human body has nearly 46 miles of different nerves in length, all tangled up in your body.
- Autonomic Nerves- they control the involuntary or partially voluntary activities. Including: blood pressure, temperature control, heart rate, and digestion.
- Motor Nerves- they control your movements and actions by passing info to your brain and spinal cord to your muscles.
- Sensory Nerves- These nerves relay information from your skin and muscles back to your brain and spinal cord. That information is then processed to let you feel good and bad (pain) sensations.
CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction, of the peripheral and central nervous system. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
Inflammation is typically characterized as swelling. Irritated. Redness. Heat.
Now imagine that all together. Nerves…Inflamed. And constantly sending different areas of your body signals.
The human body has nearly 46 miles of different nerves in length, all tangled up in your body.
crps explained in english
Imagine a pretty bad paper cut. One that hurts pretty decent, but you constantly forget about. Because you can’t see it. Now picture squeezing Lemon Juice or Rubbing Alcohol on it every twenty minutes. That’s CRPS in a nut shell. What starts as something small, keeps reminding you constantly by nagging you with pain. What once started at skin level…has been irritated non stop…eventually starts hurting in the muscle…to so deep down in the bone, the pain becomes unbearable.