Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that often leads to spinal compression fractures. Kyphoplasty treats the fractures and the pain that comes with them. Here’s what you can expect from the procedure.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an umbrella term that describes damage to or malfunction of the central and peripheral nervous systems, one that generates prolonged pain and inflammation of a limb (hands, arms, legs or feet), usually after an injury.
People with CRPS may experience spontaneous pain or pain that’s excessive for the stimulus.
At Pinnacle Pain and Spine, board-certified interventional pain specialist Dr. Matthew Crooks and his team understand how debilitating it can be to live with chronic pain, including pain caused by complex regional pain syndrome.
Because this relatively rare condition isn’t well known, our Pinnacle team has put together this guide to get you up to speed.
Most cases of CRPS are the result of excessive firing of the small, peripheral nerve fibers, which carry pain messages to the brain.
This action triggers inflammation meant to help promote healing and rest after an injury, but it also overwhelms the brain with pain signals, leading to heightened sensitivity. Sometimes the original nerve injury is obvious, but other times you need a specialist to locate and treat it.
Historically, people were diagnosed as CRPS-I any time there was a question about the exact nerve injured. Once the nerve was identified, they became CRPS-II (causalgia).
Many people labeled with CRPS-II sustain injuries that also damage motor nerves, causing weakness and muscle shrinkage in certain areas. That makes it easier to identify the nerve responsible for the pain.
Motor nerves oversee the movement of muscles under conscious control, such as those used for talking, walking, and grasping things.
Both types of CRPS are the result of nerve injury and have identical symptoms, although those in CPRS-I are often more subtle and can be overlooked.
CRPS can develop at any age, but it’s rare in children and teens due to their quick healing abilities, and it’s less likely to develop in the elderly, who have a smaller inflammatory response to injury.
In adults, the age of onset ranges from 37-70, and it mostly affects those of European ancestry (about 66-80% of cases), with women three to four times more likely to get it than men. It’s unclear, though, why some people develop the condition while others with the same injury don’t.
Not every person has all of these symptoms, and the number of symptoms usually goes down during recovery. The symptoms may include:
There are a number of treatments available, most providing a measure of relief while the body heals itself. These include:
If you’ve suffered an injury and feel the pain you experience is disproportionate to the injury itself, you may have complex regional pain syndrome. To find out more and to schedule a consultation, give us a call or request an appointment online today.
We have convenient locations in Scottsdale, Chandler, and Fountain Hills, Arizona.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that often leads to spinal compression fractures. Kyphoplasty treats the fractures and the pain that comes with them. Here’s what you can expect from the procedure.
If traditional therapies haven’t helped your chronic pain, hemp-derived CBD may be an effective alternative. Get the scoop here.
Bone marrow aspirate therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses your own stem cells to heal damaged or diseased tissues. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of this remarkable treatment.
The treatment for a back fracture greatly depends on the type of fracture you’ve sustained and its severity. Learn all about back fractures and the top treatments here.
Do you suffer from headaches? Did you know that the pain may be from muscles elsewhere in your body? If so, trigger point injections might be just the thing to trigger relief. Here’s what you need to know.
If you suffered a whiplash injury, you know the pain and discomfort it can cause. If conservative treatments don’t bring relief, it might be time to consider platelet-rich plasma therapy, a regenerative medicine technique.