What is RSD/CRPS

What is RSD/CRPS

RSD/CRPS is a progressive disease of the chronic neurological syndrome whose pain is characterized as constant, extremely intense, and out of proportion to the original injury.Pain is still out of portion after injury is healed. The pain is typically accompanied by swelling, skin changes, hyper-sensitivity to touch, clothing, or even air, some patients stop bathing all together due to the extreme pain of the water hitting their skin. Burning pain is one of the most common symptom with patients. This disease is often very debilitating and often life changing . It usually affects one or more of the four limbs but can occur in any part of the body. RSD/CRPS can affect anyone from age 3-103. As of now there is no cure

for RSD/CRPS!

RSD/CRPS is ranked as the MOST painful form of pain that exists today by the McGill Pain Index.

There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria of RSD/CRPS:

1) Constant chronic burning pain (includes allodynia - extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, and vibration)

2) Inflammation (this can affect the appearance of the skin, bruising, mottling, etc.)

3) Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities effected with RSD/CRPS.

4) Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance (includes the major changes to the limbic system such as short-term

memory problems, concentration difficulties, etc.)
There are a great many additional symptoms that can also occur over the course of the disease. Not all patients

will have all symptoms at the same time. No two patients are alike.

There are Two Types of CRPS - Type I and Type II

RSD/CRPS Type I (also referred to as RSD) - cases in which the nerve injury cannot be immediately identified.

CRPS Type II (also referred to as Causalgia) - cases in which a distinct "major" nerve injury has occurred

RSD/CRPS is best described in terms of an injury to a nerve or soft tissue (e.g. broken bone) that does not follow the normal healing path RSD/CRPS development does not appear to depend on the magnitude of the injury. The sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury. Since there is no single laboratory test to diagnose RSD/CRPS, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination).

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (RSD)

The presence of an initiating noxious event, or a cause of immobilization Continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia with which the pain is disproportionate to any indicationg event. Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the non-efected body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of the pain. This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and/or dysfunction.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (Causalgia)

The presence of continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia after a nerve injury, not necessarily limited to the distribution of the injured nerve. Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the non-efected body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of pain. This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and/or dysfunction.

As of present time there is no known cure for RSD/CRPS. There is very little research for treatments. This forces people out of the country to seek new treatments. This is very expensive and can be very risky, and there is no guarentee that these will lower pain levels.