Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Specialist

Lower Merion Neurology PC

Neurologist located in Paoli, PA & Narberth, PA

After you sustain an injury and it heals, the pain is supposed to go away. When you have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the pain continues, and you develop other symptoms like swelling and muscle weakness. Sudhir Aggarwal, MD, PhD, at Lower Merion Neurology PC, has extensive experience helping patients find pain relief without resorting to opioid medications. To learn more about treatment options for CRPS, schedule an appointment online or call the office located in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and serving the larger Main Line area.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Q & A

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS is a chronic nerve disorder that occurs when pain that was initially caused by an injury lasts long after the damage heals. Another characteristic of CRPS is that your ongoing pain is worse than the degree of pain caused by the trauma.

There are two types of CRPS. CRPS-I is caused by any type of injury, such as a fracture or soft tissue sprain. CRPS-II develops after you sustain direct nerve damage.

What symptoms develop due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS-I and CRPS-II share the same symptoms. The primary symptom of persistent pain usually affects one limb. However, the condition is progressive, and the pain that begins in a hand or foot often spreads to include your arm or leg. CRPS causes severe pain that’s described as burning pain or like sharp needles.

The affected area often becomes hypersensitive, making even a soft touch feel painful. The nerve damage underlying both types of CRPS affects your blood vessels, leading to changes in your skin color, temperature, and texture.

You may also experience symptoms such as:

Stiff joints
Swelling in the affected limb
Excessive sweating near the injury
Changes in hair growth on the affected limb
Changes in nail growth on the affected fingers or toes

Muscles are affected as the condition worsens, leading to spasms, muscle atrophy, and loss of coordination.

What is the treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

A variety of treatments is available to support the different aspects of CRPS. Dr. Aggarwal customizes your treatment plan to include one or more of the following:

Physical therapy

The structured exercises you’ll learn in physical therapy are important to reduce circulatory problems and maintain muscle strength and coordination. Rehabilitation may also prevent or reverse the central nervous system changes that lead to hypersensitivity.

Medications

Dr. Aggarwal may prescribe one of several possible medications to treat symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and muscle cramps. He also offers intravenous infusions with Lidocaine and Ketamine which have proven to benefit the patients suffering from CRPS.

If you have ongoing limb or whole body pain, call Lower Merion Neurology PC or schedule an appointment online.

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