Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-04-07

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, progressive neurological condition characterized by severe, persistent pain and sensory, autonomic, and motor disturbances that typically follow an injury or surgery to a limb. Understanding the Condition While often triggered by an initial trauma—such as a fracture, sprain, or surgical procedure—the pain experienced in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is disproportionately intense and prolonged compared to what would be expected from the original injury. The condition is categorized into two clinical types: Type I (formerly reflex sympathetic dystrophy), where no specific nerve lesion is identifiable, and Type II (formerly causalgia), where a confirmed nerve injury is present.

8 people with CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome have shared their first-person experience on this question at DiseaseMaps.

What is CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Name: What is CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Creator: DiseaseMaps Editorial Team
Published: 2015-06-24UTC02:24:45.0000000

What is CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? Plain-language, medically reviewed definition plus the lived reality told by patients.

Understanding the Condition

While often triggered by an initial trauma—such as a fracture, sprain, or surgical procedure—the pain experienced in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is disproportionately intense and prolonged compared to what would be expected from the original injury. The condition is categorized into two clinical types: Type I (formerly reflex sympathetic dystrophy), where no specific nerve lesion is identifiable, and Type II (formerly causalgia), where a confirmed nerve injury is present. Both types share identical symptoms and require similar management strategies.

Systems Involved and Pathophysiology

CRPS profoundly affects the nervous system, which in turn disrupts the circulatory, integumentary, and muscular systems. The underlying mechanism involves a maladaptive response of the peripheral and central nervous systems, leading to neurogenic inflammation. This causes the abnormal microcirculation and nerve signaling that result in the hallmark burning pain, skin color changes, and temperature fluctuations seen in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Demographics and Prevalence

Data on the exact prevalence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is limited, but it is considered a rare disease that can affect individuals of any age. However, clinical literature consistently shows a higher incidence in women compared to men, with the average age of onset typically occurring between 40 and 60 years. While it can develop after minor trauma, the exact reason why some individuals develop this chronic condition while others heal normally remains a primary focus of ongoing medical research.

Differentiating CRPS

What sets CRPS apart from other chronic pain conditions is the presence of objective clinical signs, such as localized swelling (edema), abnormal sweating, and trophic changes like brittle nails or thinning skin. Unlike localized neuropathy, the pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome often spreads beyond the site of the original injury to encompass an entire limb, and in some cases, may mirror on the opposite side of the body.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

References

NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

Orphanet: The portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Author: DiseaseMaps Editorial Team

Reviewed against authoritative medical sources (NIH GARD, Orphanet, OMIM)

Last updated: 2026-04-07

Sources cited: NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) · Orphanet: The portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Medical disclaimer: This information does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making health decisions.

Source: DiseaseMaps.org

9 answers

It can be caused by an injury , surgery or a simple cut to your body.
Excessive pain lasting Inge than 6 months can be considered a# chronic.The nerve endings send pain signals to the brain. The brain is unindated with these signals and the nerve endings are on high alert 24/7.

Posted Nov 19, 2017 by [email protected] 5060

A neuropathic disorder.

Posted Oct 25, 2018 by Misty 2100

This is one of the most difficult questions to answer. To say it's complex is almost an understatement. CRPS is a result of a dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous system, possibly following some sort of injury. It causes the nervous system to send frequent or constant signals to the brain which in turn becomes overactive causing extreme burning or aching pain, swelling and changing of skin temperature and color. The pain does not get better after prolonged timeframe.

Posted Nov 1, 2018 by Judy 3000

CRPS is a condition that most commonly happens due to a trauma involving damage to a nerve but can also happen from a soft tissue injury. The injury will heal but the pain continues and becomes worse over time. The area over time usually an arm or leg, foot or hand will start to have color changes to it and swelling to the area. Temperature changes will also be noticeable along with burning, crushing pain, that nothing helps it. May not be able to touch the area due to the increase of pain that it causes. This all is the Sympathetic Nervous System that controls all of these functions and believed that the pain signal becomes stuck from when the injury occurred.No cure at this time and you need to keep moving the body part or it can begin to contract or draw up and lock and be unusable.

Posted Jan 5, 2019 by Cynthia 4000

Constant overwhelming stabbing cutting deep ache pain that is always.in your face. That causes swelling and can cause odd sweating and temperature change. And
Affects sleep. And can affect thinking or memory.

And other issues like eye problems, GI issues.
Weird finger nail issues

Posted Jan 16, 2021 by Patricia 3050

Nerve sends message to the brain of pain. The pain center in the brain fires pain chemicals back to the nerve and gets stuck open. The pain signals continue firing. Pain chemicals are consistently being sent through the bloodstream and if you are injury the place of a new injury may then develop crps as well.

Posted Mar 19, 2021 by Melanie 1200

Complex Regional is a chronic pain disability. It is caused by trauma to the body or nervous system. The pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.

Posted Mar 29, 2021 by Sage0920 2000

A poorly understood condition but to quote directly from Dr Andreas Goebel Pain expert at the Walton Centre and lecturer at the University of Liverpool aAND who with Victoria over at Burning Nights CRPS co -authored the current guidelines of the Royal College of General Physicians gudelines to the diagnosis and management of CRPS and just happens to be MY consultant. A gem of a man. Very very caring with an abundance of humility and compassion. Reading from a a card i carry with me CRPS
is in its simplest terms: " a nerve disorder that usually occurs after an injury or period of immobilsation. The principle symptom.is pain which can lead to disability. I may look heslthy but I.often suffer from unrelenting burning nerve pain... I.have good or bad days even hours. Therei s currently no cure for this pain". It is obviously.much more complicated than this!

Posted Nov 3, 2022 by Heather 5020