Have you or your loved one experienced severe foot and leg pain with swelling several days after an injury or surgery?
Severe distressing or burning pain several days after a foot or leg injury or surgery is categorized into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of Foot(CRPS).
It is difficult to diagnose this condition due to its varying nature of symptoms.
Why does CRPS occur?
Abnormal functioning in the brain and spinal cord causes intense pain signals in the leg and foot.
The initial injury may or may not be the source of this abnormal functioning.Other symptoms in CRPS
Swelling, tenderness(pain on touching the foot and ankle), changes in skin color, texture, and temperature.
In later stages, it causes muscle weakness, joint stiffness and affects daily functions.How is CRPS confirmed or diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose CRPS. It is confirmed with diagnostic criteria:
- Your doctor will take a detailed history from you for all the injury details and symptoms.
- Specific signs will be watched for
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- Changes in skin temperature
- Changes in hair, nail growth.
- Swelling, redness, and tenderness.
What treatment options are available for CRPS?
Although difficult to treat and overcome completely, CRPS is usually brought under control by the following therapies:
- Physiotherapy
- Desensitization
Explained in simple words, it means to reduce the sensitivity of the affected part. Techniques such as gently rubbing or kneading the part with different textures, weights, and use of water with different temperatures. This causes
One must always consult a physician, Orthopedic surgeon and Physiotherapist before beginning any form of therapy.The earlier that the condition is identified as CRPS, better are the chances of recovery.
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