CRPS II

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (CRPS II)/Causalgia

Complex regional pain syndrome II (CRPS II), also called causalgia, is an extremely painful, progressive response to a peripheral nerve injury.

CRPS II/causalgia is characterized by severe, burning pain. Causalgia differs from CRPS I/RSD in that it does not migrate from the site of the original insult.

CRPS II/causalgia is triggered by trauma to a large nerve. The trauma can be as simple as a minor crushing injury or cut, or as destructive as a gunshot wound. As the disease progress, there is often a loss of function in the affected area, and the skin and nails undergo destructive changes. The pain, which in early stages may respond to analgesics, generally becomes resistant to pain medication.

The treatment plan for CRPS II/causalgia depends upon many factors, such as the severity of the disease, dysfunction and pain, the type and location of the pain, as well as patient’s age, ongoing medical conditions, and ability to tolerate other medical therapies. The doctor will take all of these factors into consideration when prescribing a treatment plan.

In general, the standard course of therapy for pain associated with CRPS II/causalgia will follow the chronic pain treatment continuum, and may include pain medications, exercise therapy, physical and occupational therapy, TENS, nerve blocks, surgery, neuromodulation, and neuroablation. Neurostimulation particularly spinal cord stimulation is an option for treating any unresolved neuropathic pain, which is common with CRPS II/causalgia.