Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic disorder that affects adults and children. It is extremely challenging to manage and results in dysfunctional patterns of behavior that have long-reaching effects on the patient and their families. New insights into the neurobiology of this condition have improved the understanding of mechanisms that alter nocioceptive perception and remodel neural circuitry in the brain and spinal cord. Traditional interventions for treating pain have little if any long-term effects. An interdisciplinary program addressing “bio-psycho-social factors” that includes graded exercise, desensitization techniques, and coping strategies has shown some success as a therapeutic approach. The reason for why certain individuals are susceptible to this condition and others are not remains elusive.