Living with Complex regional pain syndrome
A long-lasting pain condition mainly affecting an arm, leg, hand or foot, often after surgery or an injury.
Understanding Complex regional pain syndrome
It can involve the whole body. It often begins after surgery or an injury. The main feature is constant, intense pain that is out of proportion to the injury. The pain tends to get worse over time and spread through the affected area. It can start at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Continuous, intense limb pain
- Pain from light touch (allodynia)
- Skin color and temperature changes
- Swelling in the arms or legs
- Sweating changes
- Changes in hair, nail and skin growth
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the underlying cause is often not known. Symptoms often begin after surgery or an injury.
Also known as: algodystrophy; algoneurodystrophy; complex regional pain syndromes; crps; crps - complex regional pain syndrome
Patient organizations
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome AssociationComplex regional pain syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Complex regional pain syndrome.
Explore research for Complex regional pain syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Complex regional pain syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Complex regional pain syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Complex regional pain syndrome studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Complex regional pain syndrome
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Complex regional pain syndrome experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.