31st January 2024

CRPS

CRPS is a painful condition affecting a limb. It commonly arises after injury to the limb; however, there may be no precipitating trauma. Injuries precipitating CRPS include sprains, surgical wounds, fractures, burns or even venepuncture or cannula sites. Symptoms of CRPS usually develop at the time of injury or days to weeks later, and occasionally, it can occur months later. The symptoms tend to start within one month of the trauma. The syndrome usually affects one limb, but in a small number of cases, it spreads to involve additional limbs. In addition to pain, symptoms include:

• Functional motor impairment, for example, reduction in handgrip 
• Sensory disturbance with hyperalgesia and allodynia
• Autonomic features such as differences in sweat, skin colour, temperature or oedema
• Trophic changes, including skin atrophy, changes in hair growth and contractions of joints