The complex regional pain syndrome is a rare form of chronic pain that commonly affects the arm or the leg. The complex regional pain syndrome particularly develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack. The real cause complex regional pain syndrome is still not yet clear. The treatment is highly beneficial for complex regional pain syndrome if started as early as possible. Once the treatment is started earlier recovery even elimination is probable
Symptoms
Some common signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:
- Persistent burning or pulsating pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
- Reactivity to touch or cold
- Inflammation and bump of the painful area
- Changes in skin temperature
- Changes in skin color, ranging from white to red or blue
- Changes in skin texture,
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
- Muscle spasms and weakness
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
The complex regional pain syndrome may spread from its source to other parts of the body such as opposite leg. Also the pain is aggravated by emotional pressure
In some cases the symptoms of complex regional pain disappear without any treatment. In others the signs and symptoms continue from months to years
When to consult a physician
If you feel severe and continuous pain that have an effect on the limb and mobilizing or touching the limb becomes extremely painful, immediately consult your doctor to diagnose the underlying cause
Complex regional pain syndrome occurs in two types, with similar signs and symptoms, but different causes.
Types of complex regional pain syndrome
Type 1
The certain type of the complex regional pain syndrome, this type is observed after an illness or injury that does not damage the nerves directly in the affected limb. Most of the people experience the type 1 syndrome
Type 2
The certain type of complex regional pain syndrome can also be referred to as Causalgia, this type occur after a certain nerve injury. The symptoms occur after certain trauma or crash injury to the arm or the leg. Other minor traumas such as surgery, heart attack, infections and even sprained ankles
What might be the complications?
If the complex regional pain syndrome is not diagnosed and treated earlier the disease may aggravate to enfeebling signs and symptoms; that may include;
Tissue wasting;
If due to severe pain you have difficulty in moving your leg due to stiffness, your skin bones and muscles may get worse and weaken
Muscle contraction
Also muscle contraction may occur. The hands fingers of your hands and foot may fix to a fixed place