How Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Diagnosed and Managed?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) is a condition that can be incorrectly diagnosed when someone doesn’t have the symptoms. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from somebody who knows what the signs and symptoms should look like.

There’s a specific set of criteria. It’s the DSM diagnostic criteria that are specifically used to diagnose CPRS and patients need to tick the box on a number of those criteria for it to be an official diagnosis. This might mean going to see your doctor or physiotherapist but don’t forget to also check out occupational therapists too!

Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Management, again, as the name suggests is a very complex and individualised management of the condition and it requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Following are some treatment and management options:

• Medication can help to manage CRPS. Medications usually prescribed for other conditions such as pain-relieving medicines or medication that is used to treat epilepsy or depression can help sufferers of CRPS.
• Physical therapy can assist with CRPS. This treatment will typically start by reducing pain and swelling to help you get back on your feet. You’ll be introduced to exercises that improve the functioning of one specific area (such as muscle strengthening). From there, you will move on to more general exercises involving the whole body.
• Nerve blocks are a common form of intervention therapy used to treat limb differences, including those that affect movement. The most frequently seen type is sympathetic ganglion block which involves using local anaesthetic near some nerves in your arm or leg so they cannot carry out their function properly.
• Counselling and psychological support can be used to help the person cope with stress, depression or chronic pain.

If you are experiencing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and need advice from a qualified therapist, please call us at Melbourne Hand Therapy today (03) 9899 8490 or leave an enquiry and we will get back to you as soon as possible.