User:Mw8871/Complex regional pain syndrome

Epidemiology[edit]
CRPS can occur at any age, with the average age at diagnosis being 42. It affects both men and women; however, CRPS is three times more frequent in females than males.

CRPS affects both adults and children, and the number of reported CRPS cases among adolescents and young adults has been increasing, with a recent observational study finding an incidence of 1.16/100,000 among children in Scotland.

Signs and symptoms

Severe CRPS of right arm

CRPS visible on hands and wrists Clinical features of CRPS have been found to be inflammation resulting from the release of certain proinflammatory chemical signals from the nerves, sensitized nerve receptors that send pain signals to the brain, dysfunction of the local blood vessels' ability to constrict and dilate appropriately, and maladaptive neuroplasticity.[4]

The signs and symptoms of CRPS usually manifest near the injury site. Most common symptoms: · extreme pain (burning, stabbing, grinding, throbbing) Other symptoms: - autonomic dysfunction - temperature changes - cyanosis - edema - localized swelling - extreme sensitivity to nonpainful stimuli (wind, water, noise, and vibrations) - extreme sensitivity to touch - increased sweating or absent sweating - changes in skin temperature (alternating sweaty and cold) - changes in skin coloring (from white and mottled to bright red or reddish violet) - changes in skin texture (waxy, shiny, thin, tight skin) - softening and thinning of bones - joint tenderness or stiffness - changes in nails and hair (delayed or increased growth, brittle nails/ hair) - muscle spasms - muscle loss (atrophy) - tremors - dystonia - allodynia - hyperalgesia - decreased/ restricted ability and painful movement of affected body part [5]

Patients may also experience: drop attacks (falls), almost fainting, fainting spells, and vision problems are infrequently reported.

The symptoms of CRPS vary in severity and duration. One version of the McGill pain index, a scale for rating pain, ranks CRPS highest, above childbirth, amputation and cancer.[6] Since CRPS is a systemic problem, potentially any organ can be affected. Symptoms may change over time, and they can vary from person to person. Symptoms can even change numerous times in a single day.

The pain of CRPS is continuous, but varies in severity. It can be heightened by emotional or physical stress.[7]

Previously, CRPS was considered to have three stages however more recent studies suggest people affected by CRPS do not progress through sequential stages and the staging system is no longer in wide use.[8] Growing evidence instead points towards distinct sub-types of CRPS.[8]