Treatment for Severe CRPS in Hands, Wrist & Arms

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), causalgia, and many other names, is a rare neurological disorder.

It is characterized by immeasurable, devastating pain, described by some as similar to the sensation of burning alive or being burned with a blowtorch.

It is ranked among the most painful diseases and medical problems and is often referred to as “the suicide disease” because there is technically no “cure” and limited effective treatments.

Top Common Symptoms Shared by CRPS Patients

It is crucial to explore the symptoms that often exist concurrently with CRPS, but that may not be commonly associated with it or may be treated as separate issues. These symptoms may be experienced in addition to the most common or obvious symptoms associated with CRPS. You may suffer from just a few, or if you are unlucky, from a long list of these.

Symptoms of CRPS in Hands, Wrists, Arms, and Shoulders

(Pain levels can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from mild to severe)

Shoulder pain
Rotator cuff problems
Pain across your shoulders
Tense or “hard” upper back and shoulder muscles, or what I refer to as “concrete shoulders” in my office
Cannot lift either arm above shoulder level
Nerve pain or numbness in either (or both) shoulder(s)
Tension in either (or both) shoulder(s)
Pain in either (or both) arm(s)
Forearm pain
Finger pain
Cold hands
Inability to perform fine motor tasks (writing)
Swelling in either (or both) hand(s)
Pain in either (or both) wrist(s)
Pain in either (or both) hand(s)
Discoloration of fingers
Fingernail changes
Weak grip for example, when opening bottles
Dropping things a lot
Tingling in any part of the upper extremities
Burning in shoulders radiating from neck

CRPS Symptoms Associated with Nervous System Dysfunction

(Pain levels can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from mild to severe)

Loss of taste
Speech disturbances, which can be so severe that it sounds as if you have suffered from a stroke (sometimes, you may have a hard time finding words or putting them in the right order)
Balance loss
A feeling of fullness in your ears
Eye pain
Burning in eyes
Ever-changing eyesight and visual disturbances (if you are reading this book on an e-reader and had to change the font, this may be affecting you)
Light sensitivity
Blurred vision
Feelings of disorientation, especially when going to a store like Costco or Sam’s Club (these stores have large open spaces with no horizons, lots of visual stimulation, and the need for you to focus)
Feelings of disorientation while in an elevator
Fainting
Light-headedness
Nausea
Carsickness or disorientation while riding in a car, especially when you look at strobe lights like the ones that emergency vehicles use
Dizziness
Ears ringing
Ears buzzing
Intolerance to loud sounds, such as a baby crying
Hearing loss
Inability to tolerate large crowds
One-sided facial pain
Pain in your teeth
Jaw pain
Difficulty swallowing
Cystic acne
Rashes
Loss or thinning of lateral eyebrows
Eyes appearing “buggy,” like they are popping out
Bags beneath your eyes
Brown discoloration of patches of your skin (Melasma), commonly referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” when you are not pregnant

The Categories of CRPS Symptoms

These days, the Budapest criteria are often used to diagnose CRPS. These categories are most widely used and were developed by pain clinics to differentiate between CRPS and other neuropathic conditions. These look at four main categories of symptoms as shown below:

Sensory abnormalities, such as an abnormal pain response to normal everyday sensory input. This includes directional pressure (such as being poked with a finger), light touch, circumferential pressure (such as putting on a tight sock), pain (being stabbed with a sharp object), cold, heat, exposure to humidity and vibration. Pain will also be perceived at a heightened intensity.
Vasomotor abnormalities, which include differences in skin temperature greater than 1 degree Celsius, and a difference in skin color when comparing one part or limb of the body to the opposite part or limb.
Sudomotor/edema, which include asymmetry in swelling and sweating.
Motor/trophic, which is defined as decreased movement, muscle or nerve weakness, tremors, and changes in hair, skin or nails.

CRPS is identified by these symptoms in the following way:

A: Ongoing pain than doesn’t match the original injury in intensity or duration
B: At least one symptom from two or more of the Budapest categories mentioned above
C: At least one symptom from three or more of the four Budapest categories mentioned above
D: A lack of alterative diagnosis

CRPS Triggers and Catalysts

CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) triggers and catalysts refer to various factors, events, or conditions that can exacerbate or activate the symptoms of CRPS in individuals who are already predisposed to the condition. These triggers and catalysts can lead to an escalation of pain, inflammation, and other manifestations of CRPS.

While CRPS is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, certain triggers and catalysts may include:

Physical Injury or Trauma:

A specific injury, surgery, or trauma can act as a trigger for CRPS. Even minor injuries may lead to an abnormal response in the nervous system and contribute to the development of CRPS.

Neck injury

Spinal injury

Fractures, one of the most common cause of CRPS, especially wrist fractures ( distal radius fractures)

Sprains and strains (such as, CRPS after an ankle sprain)

Burns and cuts

Deep wounds and lacerations

Limb immobilization (such as wearing a cast)

Please note that the force of the impact or the time that has gone by since the injury often has no effect on the extent of the injury.

Surgery or Medical Procedures:

Surgical interventions, especially those involving nerves or joints, can potentially initiate or worsen CRPS symptoms. CRPS after surgery commonly seen:

CRPS after ankle surgery

CRPS after back surgery

CRPS after foot surgery

CRPS after hand surgery

CRPS after knee surgery

CRPS after knee replacement

CRPS after spine surgery

CRPS after shoulder surgery

CRPS after wrist surgery

Additional catalysts and triggers:

Infections: Underlying infections, such as bacterial or viral infections, can trigger an immune response that affects the nervous system and contributes to CRPS symptoms.

Nervous System Dysregulation: Any event that disrupts the normal functioning of the nervous system, such as trauma or surgery, can serve as a catalyst for the development of CRPS.

Genetic Predisposition: Genetic factors may make certain individuals more susceptible to developing CRPS, and specific genetic traits can contribute to the expression of symptoms.

Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in the body, whether due to injury, infection, or other causes, can play a role in the initiation and progression of CRPS.

Emotional Stress or Trauma: Psychological stressors or trauma may influence the nervous system's response and contribute to the manifestation of CRPS symptoms.

Autoimmune Responses: Abnormal immune responses may contribute to the development of CRPS, as the immune system may target healthy tissue, leading to pain and inflammation.

Temperature Changes: Exposure to extreme temperatures or changes in temperature can trigger or worsen CRPS symptoms, leading to increased pain and sensitivity.

Movement and Activity: Certain movements or activities that stress the affected limb or area may trigger CRPS symptoms or exacerbate existing pain.

Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes, such as those associated with menstruation or menopause, may influence the nervous system and impact CRPS symptoms.

Underlying Health Conditions: Pre-existing health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, may contribute to the development or worsening of CRPS.

It's important to note that individual responses to triggers and catalysts can vary widely, and not everyone exposed to these factors will develop CRPS. Understanding potential triggers and catalysts can help individuals with CRPS manage their condition and make informed decisions about their treatment and lifestyle choices.

Why Does CRPS Occur in the Hand?

Findings show that the hand is the most commonly affected limb of CRPS patients. There are numerous biological and environmental factors that are thought to contribute to the development of CRPS. Female patients are more likely to experience CRPS in the hand than males. Adults are also more prone to upper body CRPS than children. Fractures and surgical procedures are the most common cause of CRPS. These traumas trigger an extreme response within the hand. Symptoms of CRPS often occur shortly after an injury or surgery while the body struggles to heal itself. Many patients have developed CRPS after undergoing hand surgeries for carpel tunnel syndrome. Other conditions that have been shown to trigger CRPS in the hands include lacerations or deep wounds.

Nervous System Dysfunction

CRPS Pain in Hands, Wrist, Arms & Shoulders

If you have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in your hand/wrist, arm, or your whole body, it is not a problem with your actual hand/ wrist, arm, or the whole body. It is a problem with the central nervous system.

That doesn’t mean that you don’t have visible changes to the area, such as abnormal hair growth, skin discoloration, and localized pain. Yes, there is damage to the local tissue, but there is a much bigger, global problem, and that is the problem in the central nervous system.

At The Spero Clinic, our team is passionate about getting to the root cause of CRPS and treating the body from the inside out.

Treating The Body As A Whole

While learning how to treat the neurologic symptoms of CRPS, my basic holistic training and upbringing have come in very handy. That training has taught me that, unlike the mechanistic approach, the body is not like an engine. What I mean by that is that you cannot just treat different parts, forgetting that every part is connected to every other part.
The body is incredibly intelligent, far above our understanding as human beings.

Our treatment focuses on restoring immediate normal flow, tone, and function to the Vagus Nerve. This has no side effects.

Unlike most treatments out there today, we do not aim to disrupt or numb the pain signals, we aim to uncover abnormalities in the CNS and restore balance to the Nervous System. The healing occurs from the inside out.

Treatment for CRPS in Hands, Wrist & Arms

Heal CRPS Pain from the inside out

CRPS