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Heal CRPS Pain from the inside out

At the Spero Clinic, we specialize in providing a holistic approach to help patients with severe CRPS in the hand heal internally, regain motion and dexterity, and send painful CRPS symptoms into remission.

We have found that the most effective approach to treating the imbalance caused by Severe CRPS is to treat and strengthen the central nervous system from within. This will allow the body to heal itself.

Our revolutionary treatment has Transformed Lives, allowing thousands of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients to become Pain-Free.
You can schedule a Free Consultation with our Experienced CRPS Specialists to help you discover the path to getting your life back!

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CRPS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), causalgia, and many other names, is a rare neurological disorder.

It is characterized by immeasurable, devastating pain, described by some as similar to the sensation of burning alive or being burned with a blowtorch.

It is ranked among the most painful diseases and medical problems and is often referred to as “the suicide disease” because there is technically no “cure” and limited effective treatments.

 

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Top Common Symptoms Shared by CRPS Patients

It is crucial to explore the symptoms that often exist concurrently with CRPS, but that may not be commonly associated with it or may be treated as separate issues. These symptoms may be experienced in addition to the most common or obvious symptoms associated with CRPS. You may suffer from just a few, or if you are unlucky, from a long list of these.

(Pain levels can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from mild to severe)

  • Shoulder pain
  • Rotator cuff problems
  • Pain across your shoulders
  • Tense or “hard” upper back and shoulder muscles, or what I refer to as “concrete shoulders” in my office
  • Cannot lift either arm above shoulder level
  • Nerve pain or numbness in either (or both) shoulder(s)
  • Tension in either (or both) shoulder(s)
  • Pain in either (or both) arm(s)
  • Forearm pain
  • Finger pain
  • Cold hands
  • Inability to perform fine motor tasks (writing)
  • Swelling in either (or both) hand(s)
  • Pain in either (or both) wrist(s)
  • Pain in either (or both) hand(s)
  • Discoloration of fingers
  • Fingernail changes
  • Weak grip for example, when opening bottles
  • Dropping things a lot
  • Tingling in any part of the upper extremities
  • Burning in shoulders radiating from neck

(Pain levels can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from mild to severe)

  • Loss of taste
  • Speech disturbances, which can be so severe that it sounds as if you have suffered from a stroke (sometimes, you may have a hard time finding words or putting them in the right order)
  • Balance loss
  • A feeling of fullness in your ears
  • Eye pain
  • Burning in eyes
  • Ever-changing eyesight and visual disturbances (if you are reading this book on an e-reader and had to change the font, this may be affecting you)
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurred vision
  • Feelings of disorientation, especially when going to a store like Costco or Sam’s Club (these stores have large open spaces with no horizons, lots of visual stimulation, and the need for you to focus)
  • Feelings of disorientation while in an elevator
  • Fainting
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea
  • Carsickness or disorientation while riding in a car, especially when you look at strobe lights like the ones that emergency vehicles use
  • Dizziness
  • Ears ringing
  • Ears buzzing
  • Intolerance to loud sounds, such as a baby crying
  • Hearing loss
  • Inability to tolerate large crowds
  • One-sided facial pain
  • Pain in your teeth
  • Jaw pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Cystic acne
  • Rashes
  • Loss or thinning of lateral eyebrows
  • Eyes appearing “buggy,” like they are popping out
  • Bags beneath your eyes
  • Brown discoloration of patches of your skin (Melasma), commonly referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” when you are not pregnant

These days, the Budapest criteria are often used to diagnose CRPS. These categories are most widely used and were developed by pain clinics to differentiate between CRPS and other neuropathic conditions. These look at four main categories of symptoms as shown below:

  • Sensory abnormalities, such as an abnormal pain response to normal everyday sensory input. This includes directional pressure (such as being poked with a finger), light touch, circumferential pressure (such as putting on a tight sock), pain (being stabbed with a sharp object), cold, heat, exposure to humidity and vibration. Pain will also be perceived at a heightened intensity.
  • Vasomotor abnormalities, which include differences in skin temperature greater than 1 degree Celsius, and a difference in skin color when comparing one part or limb of the body to the opposite part or limb.
  • Sudomotor/edema, which include asymmetry in swelling and sweating.
  • Motor/trophic, which is defined as decreased movement, muscle or nerve weakness, tremors, and changes in hair, skin or nails.

CRPS is identified by these symptoms in the following way:

  • A: Ongoing pain than doesn’t match the original injury in intensity or duration
  • B: At least one symptom from two or more of the Budapest categories mentioned above
  • C: At least one symptom from three or more of the four Budapest categories mentioned above
  • D: A lack of alterative diagnosis

CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) triggers and catalysts refer to various factors, events, or conditions that can exacerbate or activate the symptoms of CRPS in individuals who are already predisposed to the condition. These triggers and catalysts can lead to an escalation of pain, inflammation, and other manifestations of CRPS.

While CRPS is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, certain triggers and catalysts may include:

Physical Injury or Trauma:

A specific injury, surgery, or trauma can act as a trigger for CRPS. Even minor injuries may lead to an abnormal response in the nervous system and contribute to the development of CRPS.

  • Neck injury
  • Spinal injury
  • Fractures, one of the most common cause of CRPS, especially wrist fractures ( distal radius fractures)
  • Sprains and strains (such as, CRPS after an ankle sprain)
  • Burns and cuts
  • Deep wounds and lacerations
  • Limb immobilization (such as wearing a cast)

Please note that the force of the impact or the time that has gone by since the injury often has no effect on the extent of the injury.

Surgery or Medical Procedures:

Surgical interventions, especially those involving nerves or joints, can potentially initiate or worsen CRPS symptoms. CRPS after surgery commonly seen:

  • CRPS after ankle surgery
  • CRPS after back surgery
  • CRPS after foot surgery
  • CRPS after hand surgery
  • CRPS after knee surgery
  • CRPS after knee replacement
  • CRPS after spine surgery
  • CRPS after shoulder surgery
  • CRPS after wrist surgery

Additional catalysts and triggers:

  • Infections: Underlying infections, such as bacterial or viral infections, can trigger an immune response that affects the nervous system and contributes to CRPS symptoms.
  • Nervous System Dysregulation: Any event that disrupts the normal functioning of the nervous system, such as trauma or surgery, can serve as a catalyst for the development of CRPS.
  • Genetic Predisposition: Genetic factors may make certain individuals more susceptible to developing CRPS, and specific genetic traits can contribute to the expression of symptoms.
  • Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in the body, whether due to injury, infection, or other causes, can play a role in the initiation and progression of CRPS.
  • Emotional Stress or Trauma: Psychological stressors or trauma may influence the nervous system's response and contribute to the manifestation of CRPS symptoms.
  • Autoimmune Responses: Abnormal immune responses may contribute to the development of CRPS, as the immune system may target healthy tissue, leading to pain and inflammation.
  • Temperature Changes: Exposure to extreme temperatures or changes in temperature can trigger or worsen CRPS symptoms, leading to increased pain and sensitivity.
  • Movement and Activity: Certain movements or activities that stress the affected limb or area may trigger CRPS symptoms or exacerbate existing pain.
  • Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes, such as those associated with menstruation or menopause, may influence the nervous system and impact CRPS symptoms.
  • Underlying Health Conditions: Pre-existing health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, may contribute to the development or worsening of CRPS.

It's important to note that individual responses to triggers and catalysts can vary widely, and not everyone exposed to these factors will develop CRPS. Understanding potential triggers and catalysts can help individuals with CRPS manage their condition and make informed decisions about their treatment and lifestyle choices.

Findings show that the hand is the most commonly affected limb of CRPS patients. There are numerous biological and environmental factors that are thought to contribute to the development of CRPS. Female patients are more likely to experience CRPS in the hand than males. Adults are also more prone to upper body CRPS than children. Fractures and surgical procedures are the most common cause of CRPS. These traumas trigger an extreme response within the hand. Symptoms of CRPS often occur shortly after an injury or surgery while the body struggles to heal itself. Many patients have developed CRPS after undergoing hand surgeries for carpel tunnel syndrome. Other conditions that have been shown to trigger CRPS in the hands include lacerations or deep wounds.

If you look at The Spero Clinic’s gallery below, you will see many images of people “ringing the bell”. This is a tradition where my patients and staff gather when a patient graduates to their satisfaction. In most cases, that means that my patients are leaving my clinic pain-free.

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CRPS treatment clinic patient Bria with dr.katinka
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