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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
A chronic neuropathic pain condition — usually affecting a limb after injury or surgery — where early, targeted treatment matters.
In short — CRPS is a chronic neuropathic pain condition, often following injury or surgery, causing severe burning pain and allodynia where normally painless stimuli feel excruciating. Patients who haven't improved with medication, therapy, and sympathetic nerve blocks may be candidates for spinal cord, DRG, or peripheral nerve stimulation after conservative measures have failed.
What is complex regional pain syndrome?
CRPS, previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that can develop after injury or surgery. Patients experience severe burning pain and allodynia, meaning normally painless stimuli (like water from a shower) can feel excruciating. There are two subtypes: Type I (no identifiable nerve injury) and Type II (causalgia).
What are the symptoms?
CRPS symptoms include:
- Pain disproportionate to the injury
- Skin color or temperature changes
- Swelling and sweating abnormalities
- Hair and nail changes
- Motor dysfunction
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
Who is a candidate for treatment?
Patients who have not improved with medications, physical therapy and sympathetic nerve blocks may be candidates for spinal cord stimulation, DRG stimulation, or — when the pain is confined to a single nerve's territory — peripheral nerve stimulation.
How is it treated?
Management includes medications (NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, antidepressants), physical and occupational therapy, and sympathetic nerve blocks (up to three injections to diagnose and treat sympathetically maintained pain). Neuromodulation with spinal cord stimulation or DRG stimulation is considered when conservative measures fail, and a temporary trial precedes permanent implantation.
What is recovery like?
Recovery from neuromodulation is rapid, but patients must protect the incision and avoid heavy lifting.
What are the risks?
Risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Lead migration
- Device malfunction
Does insurance cover it?
Insurance typically requires documentation of failed conservative therapy and a successful trial.
Trusted resources
Learn more about complex regional pain syndrome from these independent medical sources:
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) — Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) — Chronic Pain
- NINDS (National Institutes of Health) — Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA)
Related care
Conditions and treatments connected to this page, all provided by Dr. Eaddy:
- DRG Stimulation — focal stimulation for pain in a specific area
- Spinal Cord Stimulation — reversible neuromodulation with a try-first trial
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation — targeted relief for single-nerve pain
Ready to talk about your pain?
Call the office for an appointment, or send a question online — office staff will respond by phone during business hours.
Call (904) 453-7976 Send a questionMessages only / callback line: (813) 397-3047
Medically reviewed by Kenneth J. Eaddy, MD · Last reviewed: July 5, 2026