The Mayo Clinic states “Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is uncommon, and its cause isn’t clearly understood. Treatment is most effective when started early. In such cases, improvement and even remission are possible.
Symptoms and signs of complex regional pain syndrome include:
- Continuous burning or throbbing pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
- Sensitivity to touch or cold
- Swelling of the painful area
- Changes in skin temperature — alternating between sweaty and cold
- Changes in skin color, ranging from white and mottled to red or blue
- Changes in skin texture, which may become tender, thin or shiny in the affected area
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
- Muscle spasms, tremors, weakness and loss (atrophy)
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
Symptoms may change over time and vary from person to person. Pain, swelling, redness, noticeable changes in temperature and hypersensitivity (particularly to cold and touch) usually occur first.”
The cause of CRPS is not understood completely but is said to be caused due to trauma, injury and or an issue with the peripheral and central nervous systems.
CRPS is said to have two types, Type 1 and Type 2 with both having similar signs and symptoms. Type 1 known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) happens after an illness or injury indicating no nerve damage. Type 2 known as causalgia is when there is injury to a nerve or nerves.