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How is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treated? |
The treatments for CRPS are
many and varied, what works well for one person may do absolutely nothing for someone else, early treatment is important, preferably within the first 3 months.
The general strategy in CRPS treatment is usually multidisciplinary, with the use of different types of medications combined with distinct physical therapies.
Some of the treatments include:
Amputation of the affected limb is not on the list of treatments as it carries a very high risk of making the disease worse, this is because the disease involves a malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous systems and although triggered by the original injury to the affected limb is not isolated to or stemming from that limb.
For further information about treatments go to my Links page for website suggestions.
The Australian support group/forum can be found on www.ozrsd.org.
The general strategy in CRPS treatment is usually multidisciplinary, with the use of different types of medications combined with distinct physical therapies.
Some of the treatments include:
- If diagnosed early sympathetic nerve blocks at this stage can often be effective and may provide permanent or temporary relief. Sympathetic blocks are not always as effective once the pain has become sympathetically maintained but they can sometimes bring about respite for a short period.
- Physical therapy
- Physicians use a variety of drugs to treat CRPS, including antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, certain drugs that are specifically designed to treat nerve pain such as Lyrica, Epilim, Gabapentin to name only a few as well as a variety of opioid drugs
- Ketamine infusions
- Graded Motor Imagery which includes mirror therapy
- Many patients find relief from simple treatments such as topical lidocaine or lidocaine patches if they are available in your country
- Alternative treatments for CRPS include hypnosis, relaxation therapy, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine (TENS) therapy & Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy
- Psychotherapy can be very effective in treating the depression that often results from CRPS as well as helping with the grief that comes with loss especially when the disease results in a significant disability
- Practicing regular mindfulness and meditation
- Neurostimulation Therapy involves the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator which uses mild electrical impulses to block pain signals to the brain. This can be an option when all other treatments have failed to give significant relief, although it is not a cure it can reduce the pain by 50% or more in some patients
- Occupational Therapy
Amputation of the affected limb is not on the list of treatments as it carries a very high risk of making the disease worse, this is because the disease involves a malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous systems and although triggered by the original injury to the affected limb is not isolated to or stemming from that limb.
For further information about treatments go to my Links page for website suggestions.
The Australian support group/forum can be found on www.ozrsd.org.
