Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD), is a chronic disorder that causes severe pain, swelling, and changes in skin texture in a person’s hand, arm, foot, or leg. Although there is no known cause of CRPS, the condition often develops after a traumatic injury such as a car accident, on-the-job accident, or surgical mistake.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CRPS can affect both genders at any age, although it is most commonly found in women. Symptoms of CRPS can include:
- burning sensation in the skin,
- changes in skin color and temperature,
- decreased mobility in affected limb,
- increased skin sensitivity,
- intense, continuous pain,
- tissue swelling,
- and more.