I Have complicated Regional Pain Syndrome? What is it?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Crps)-ever hear of it? It's more base than one might think. I hadn't until I was diagnosed with it. And the whole thing started with breaking my foot!
I Have complicated Regional Pain Syndrome? What is it?
Crps, the cause is unknown, but may be associated to a question curious the sympathetic nervous system. This principles is settled along the spinal cord, controls confident corporeal functions-most notably the occasion and conclusion of the blood vessels and sweat glands.
It's known as some other names: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (Rsds), causalgia, Sudeck's atrophy and shoulder-hand syndrome. Although it also hits the feet, as it has done with me.
The syndrome occurs as a supervene of injury to nerves, bones, joints-occasionally muscles, ligaments or tendons. It can arise from whatever from something as minor as a sprain or, as in my case, a join of broken bones. In about 25% of sufferers, there is no cause at all.
What are its symptoms? How is it diagnosed and treated? Is it curable?
These questions were swimming in my head. Here are the answers as relayed to me by my rheumatologist, Dr. Randy Lehmer, Head of Rheumatology for Kaiser-Permanente Orange County, along with information gathered from the Arthritis Foundation and WebMd.com:
The procedure of Crps has 3 overlapping stages:
Stage 1, the affected area is painful, tender and swells. There are changes in skin color (flesh tone to purple, in my case), sweating, abnormal hair and nail growth and stiffness.
Stage 2, persistent aching/burning/numbness and tingling-sometimes all at the same time! Changes in room/weather temperature, breezes, air-conditioning or even texture changes and movement from garments. Nails come to be brittle, skin may look waxy. X-rays will show thinning of the bones. Pain starts to spread and muscle spasms start occurring. This is presently where I am.
Stage 3, Permanent changes may form if the sick person doesn't get help. Joint and limb function are reduced.
According to Dr. Lehmer, my foray into this syndrome probably happened due to the fact that I also have rheumatoid arthritis, although it was not the cause of the accident. Because my foot had to be in a non-weight bearing cast for over two months, the nerve endings decided that this wasn't what they idea should happen in my body and, basically, took over.
Turns out early detection is best (as with most syndromes) for any possibility for unblemished recovery. I had been complaining to the orthopedic in fee of my foot, but he assumed (wrongly) that I just needed to keep working at getting my mobility back.
After 6 months I was still having muscle spasms throughout the day and night, pain in the area, paralysis and what felt like hot oil running down my leg from my knee down.
I mentioned all this to Dr. Lehmer at one of my regular appointments with him-he took me seriously. He ordered up a bone flow scan, new x-rays and consulted with the head podiatrist. Then he sent me direct to corporeal Therapy. I was also put on a month-long procedure of prednisone and told not to feel the pain, as that could absolutely slow down the salvage time. If there was to be one. He hoped that I would once again be power walking, but when he was unsure.
Turns out Crps is not curable. With early intervention and proper care the chances of it being permanent may lessen, but not necessarily will it preclude it from worsening. It seems to be a "play it by ear" type of problem.
Some citizen recovery, some citizen do not.
How are most cases treated? corporeal therapy, pain killers, numbing agents (anything from local anesthetic to epidurals), muscle relaxants, short-term steroid use. Some severe cases might use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (Tens) unit or biofeedback. Tens is a small, battery-operated gismo that can ease pain by blocking nerve impulses.
The most leading thing with this syndrome seems to be early analysis and getting treatment, which may also be the most difficult part. Take the medications and do the exercises that have been prescribed, religiously. It may not be curable, but there is a great deal that can be done to help to help those who suffer with it to live more comfortably and, in turn, be able to lead active fulfilling lives.
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