Complex regional pain syndrome
Other Names for this Disease
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
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There is no known cure for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Treatment mainly aims to control painful symptoms. If treatment is started within a few months of when symptoms begin, improvement or remission may be possible. A combination of therapies is usually necessary. Medications used to treat CRPS may include oral and topical pain relievers; antidepressants or anticonvulsants (which are sometimes used to treat pain); corticosteroids; bone-loss medications; sympathetic nerve-blocking medications; and/or intravenous anesthetics. Other therapies used may include applying heat or cold; physical therapy; electrical nerve stimulation; biofeedback; and/or spinal cord stimulation. Unfortunately, no single drug or therapy (or combination) has shown consistent, long-lasting improvement among affected people.
Last updated: 11/11/2014
- Complex regional pain syndrome. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20022844. Accessed 11/11/2014.
- NINDS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Information Page. NINDS. September 26, 2014; http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm. Accessed 11/10/2014.
- ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Complex regional pain syndrome. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.