Do you find our website to be helpful?
Yes   No

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Specialist

Long Island Chronic Pain Our Services Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Long Island Chronic Pain

Pain Management Specialists & Anesthesiologists located in East Northport, NY, Centereach, NY & Huntington Station, NY

Any kind of trauma to your body can damage your nervous system and increase your risk for developing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). At Long Island Chronic Pain, with offices in East Northport, Centereach, and Huntington Station, New York, pain management specialist, Uzma Nasir, MD, offers comprehensive pain management services for CRPS to help you manage your pain and remain active. Learn more about your options for treating CRPS by booking an appointment online or by calling the office nearest you today.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Q&A

What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one of your limbs after an injury, most often an arm, leg, hand, or foot. The cause of the pain may relate to damage in the central or peripheral nervous system.

This damage disrupts the signals moving between the nerves and your brain and can result in abnormal nerve activities that result in persistent pain and other symptoms.

There’s no clear understanding of why some people develop CRPS after trauma and others don’t. You may be at increased risk for CRPS if you fracture a bone, get burned, or suffer another type of soft tissue injury.

What are the symptoms of CRPS?

A hallmark symptom of CRPS is a burning or tingling pain sensation that spreads over your limb. This pain is often constant and may feel as if someone is squeezing your arm or leg.

CRPS can also cause:

  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Jerking limbs (dystonia)
  • Pins and needles
  • Skin discoloration
  • Skin temperature changes
  • Uncoordinated muscle movements

Symptoms of CRPS can vary in frequency and intensity. You may experience mild symptoms that go away soon or have persistent pain that leads to a disability.

How is CRPS diagnosed?

There are no specific diagnostic tests to confirm CRPS. The Long Island Chronic Pain team reviews your medical history and the location and severity of your pain.

They may order diagnostic blood work to rule out other issues, like Lyme disease or vein issues, that can cause similar symptoms.

How is CRPS treated?

Your treatment plan for CRPS depends on your symptoms and the frequency of your pain. The Long Island Chronic Pain team takes a multidisciplinary approach to relieve CRPS pain and may recommend treatments like:

  • Medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Steroid injections
  • Sympathetic nerve blocks

The Long Island Chronic Pain team also provides spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of CRPS. Stimulation involves implanting electrodes through a needle into your spine. You can send small currents of electricity through the electrodes using an external remote. 

The currents disrupt pain signals from the spine that travel to the brain, allowing you to treat your pain as needed.

The goal of treating CRPS is to minimize pain and improve the function of the affected limb. The pain specialists continue working with you to ensure you can enjoy an active, high-quality lifestyle.

If you have chronic pain or other symptoms of CRPS, schedule an evaluation online or by calling the Long Island Chronic Pain office nearest you today.