preview

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Decent Essays

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder (Sebastian, 2011). This disorder is characterized by persistent, on-going pain and disability. According to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDA), up to two hundred thousand people in the United States are affected with the disorder every year (“Telltale Signs and Symptoms of CRPS/RSD,” n.d.). Although anyone can be diagnosed with this syndrome, it is most commonly seen in women versus men (3.5:1), and in individuals around age forty (“Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet,” 2013; Goebel, 2011). Unlike most syndromes, diseases, or other illnesses, there is no statistical data available for the mortality rates of CRPS since people do not die from the syndrome. However, those with CRPS may die due to the complications associated with CRPS on the various bodily organ systems including: the cardiac system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, urological system, and gastrointestinal system (Schwartzman, 2012).
How is CRPS Diagnosed?
CRPS is a hard syndrome to truly diagnose, which is why some doctors provide their patients with a clinical diagnosis based on the “Budapest Clinical Diagnostic Criteria,” other doctors do not follow these criteria and diagnose on a case-by-case basis (Harden et al., 2010). CRPS is generally caused, and diagnosed

Get Access