Which are the symptoms of CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

See the worst symptoms of affected by CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome here


Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)


Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one limb, often after an injury or trauma. The exact cause of CRPS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve abnormal responses of the nervous system and immune system.


CRPS is characterized by intense and prolonged pain that is disproportionate to the initial injury. The pain is usually described as burning, throbbing, or shooting, and it may spread to other parts of the body over time. The affected limb may become extremely sensitive to touch or even to temperature changes, leading to increased pain.


There are two types of CRPS:



  1. CRPS Type 1: This type occurs after an injury or trauma that does not directly damage the nerves in the affected limb.

  2. CRPS Type 2: This type occurs after a specific nerve injury.


Regardless of the type, CRPS symptoms can vary from person to person, but they generally include:



  1. Continuous, intense pain: The pain experienced in CRPS is often described as a burning or shooting sensation. It may be constant or intermittent, but it is typically severe and out of proportion to the initial injury.

  2. Changes in skin temperature and color: The affected limb may feel warmer or cooler than the surrounding areas. The skin may also appear blotchy, red, or pale.

  3. Swelling and stiffness: The affected limb may become swollen, and the joints may feel stiff and difficult to move.

  4. Changes in skin texture: The skin in the affected area may become thin, shiny, or excessively sweaty. It may also undergo changes in hair and nail growth.

  5. Abnormal sweating and temperature regulation: People with CRPS may experience excessive sweating, especially in the affected limb. They may also have difficulty regulating their body temperature, leading to fluctuations between feeling too hot or too cold.

  6. Changes in nail and hair growth: The nails in the affected limb may grow faster or slower than usual, and the hair may become thicker or thinner.

  7. Muscle weakness and spasms: The affected limb may feel weak, and muscle spasms or tremors may occur.

  8. Joint stiffness and limited range of motion: The joints in the affected limb may become stiff, making it difficult to move or perform daily activities.

  9. Decreased coordination and mobility: CRPS can affect coordination and balance, making it challenging to perform tasks that require fine motor skills.

  10. Emotional and psychological changes: Living with chronic pain can take a toll on a person's mental health. Individuals with CRPS may experience depression, anxiety, and difficulty coping with the condition.


It is important to note that CRPS symptoms can vary in severity and may change over time. Some individuals may experience periods of remission where symptoms improve or disappear, while others may have persistent symptoms.


If you suspect you may have CRPS or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is crucial to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.


by Diseasemaps

-Stabbing pain -Alldonia -GI issues -muscle spasms -joint stiffness -tiredness

4/20/17 by Chloe 1000

Burning pain, loss of usage of affected limb/s, loss of previous life activities, not knowing what's coming next.

5/9/17 by Jon 1100

IThe never ending pain is the worse symptom. However, there are different symptoms that replace pain on the days that have less pain. For example, horrible bone pain in all the bones is difficult to endure.

5/18/17 by Geniva 300

I believe the worst symptom of crps is the unrelenting pain that during a flare up gets extremely worse. The next worse symptom would be the depression that seems to affect most with this disease as the pain, the unknown, the loss of normalcy in your life, the loss of friends and family that don't or won't understand the crps, and the extreme list of medications you seem to work yourself through. The depression can get so bad that crps is nicknamed the suicide disease. If you battle any depressed like feelings, reach out and get help. Talk to a friend, a pastor, a therapist or your doctor. It's nothing to be ashamed of as you are dealing with so much pain and changes and even loss with this disease.

5/24/17 by Vicki 500

Burning, stinging, shooting, electric shock

5/24/17 by Stevi 600

How, burning pain. Stabbing, throbbing.

5/28/17 by Amy 500

The constant pain. I can deal with the flares but I hate having the constant pain

8/17/17 by Chelsea 2335

The 24/7 continuous pain The flair ups The depression The lack of understanding of friends , family members The hopelessness The medley of painkillers Lack of understanding by medical professionals that have no knowledge of this disease.

9/6/17 by norma.mark@icloud.com 5060

The burning pain, being in pain 24/7

9/11/17 by Craig 1600

The constant pain inside the shoulder arm and hand. Inside the limb is on fire and just cant be cooled or put out

9/13/17 by Andy 3550

Unrelenting excruciating pain is the hallmark and primary symptom of CRPS. That pain is much worse than what would be expected from the initial injury that caused CRPS to develop. Many with CRPS also suffer from allodynia (hypersensitivity to gentle touch) and hyperalgesia (increased response to a painful stimuli like a needle prick) in the affected area. CRPS is known to cause dramatic temperature changes with the affected area looking and internally feeling like its on fire but being much colder than other parts of the body. This is caused by vaso-motor constriction, which can lead to tissue damage and bone loss. Most people with CRPS feel more pain when faced with changes in temperature or barometric pressure. Often hair and nail growth changes. There can also be autoimmune-type symptoms such as fatigue, blurry vision, nausea, changes in body weight and appetite. Occasionally dystonia will accompany CRPS, causing painful, twisting spasms that lock joints at odd angles.

9/15/17 by DrLisa 3750

Burning, the feeling of having fluid pumped into your limb. The scratching surface pain, the swelling and discolouration.

9/19/17 by Alex 2550

Intense burning pain. Swelling, changes in color. Simple things like a sheet touching the affected limb can send pain shocks through your body. Aching never goes away.

10/8/17 by Valerie 1500

Increased pain Swelling Colour difference between limbs Temperature difference between limbs Sweeting where you wouldn't normally sweet Allodina Waisting of muscles Limited/restrictions in movement

11/11/17 by Katie Banks 1015

Burning, stinging, cold, hot, stabbing pain. Worst pain the human body can endure. Shiny skin and loss of hair as well as rapid nail growth are common

11/11/17 by Robbie 2000

There are numerous symptoms from severe burning pain, pain that doesn’t stop, swelling, color change of legs, sensitivity to temperature, touch, noise and stress. Atrophy is a symptom that several get along with molting of the skin. Barametric preassure makes the pain worse from change in temperature, cold fronts to snow and rain.

11/11/17 by Joey7807 1000

Atrophy of any kind is horrible! The complete list of symptoms is terrible from the icy cold days to frozen limbs. The limbs that look like they don’t even belong on your body. The rashes, dental issues, constipation is horrible from all the meds we take. The large quantity of medications we need daily, the clothing we no longer can wear paired with the shoes we no longer get to enjoy! The activities we no longer are able to participate in

11/11/17 by Aj 2000

The most prominent symptom is burning pain in excess of what you would expect for the type of injury. Mine is relentless and thus far, nerve blocking injections have not helped. I am able to sleep because I take four heavy duty rx each night. During the day I just suffer because the meds knock me down.

11/11/17 by Colleen85201 1700

Typically with CRPS, there are physical signs in the affected area that could include: dysesthesia (pain, burning or tingling upon touch), hypersensitivity, swelling, skin discoloration or ongoing,

11/12/17 by Jim 600

A burning freezing pain that is disproportional with the original injury, brain fog, muscle loss, changes in hair growth in the affected area, swelling, redness, difficulty regulating temperatures, and sensitivity to heat and or cold.

11/12/17 by Shanna 5000

Some symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, aching, electrical shocks, cold, stiffness, difficulty moving an affected limb.

11/12/17 by ladyff1481 2050

There is burning, constant pain, swelling discoloration, loss of hair on the limb.

11/13/17 by James 800

Symptoms are as individual as we all are and vary from person to person. My symptoms are in a controlled state. Initially before changing my diet and mindset, I had swelling, redness, burning, allodynia and pain. Pain and allodynia are the hard ones to define. For me, pain is shooting electrical pulses, aching muscles like tearing and overexersion, and stiff aching joints. Allodynia is by far my worse symptom still. It's like having a continuous sunburn that never goes away. So clothing, touch and even air hurts. Between the burning on the surface and the icy burning going on inside --- it's by far the most difficult symptom to get past. That and the skin crawling symptoms if anything touches the skin. Lol, now you know why we are warriors!

11/13/17 by Thea 3150

Pins & needles feeling, tingling,swelling, burning, hot / cold to the touch, stiffness, unable to use affected limb normally. Weakness. Mine is in my right hand, so I can't grip nearly as tight, open a doorknob, a tight lid, turn on car ignition with right hand.

5/15/18 by Tammy 800

Pain, allodynia, increased sweating, atrophy, discoloration, hypästhesia, temperature difference, muscle spasms

5/30/18 by Passwort123 700

Sleep !! Would get rid of burn, coldness on limbs, cloths touching your skin, Holt or cold air, pain that won’t go away. Answer to number 1. Just to have my life back. Be sociable again.

5/31/18 by Marcia 500

Pain in shoulder travelling to other parts of the body . Temperature change in the limb.Allodynia

10/25/18 by Misty 2100

The pain is ever present. Lack of memory and sleep. My biggest issue is the lack of mobility and it spreading from my right hand to now through my neck and now my left hand. I fall frequently and have tremors. My bones are thinning and have severely dry eyes. If I could get rid of any of these the first would be the atrophy!!!!! Next would be the pain! They go hand in hand!

11/1/18 by Judy 3000

Excruciating burning, crushing pain, color change, temp change and sensitive to touch. The burning along with the crushing pain. The sensitivity to touch would be next. Any pain around 5-6/ could be tolerated if there was no burning to it. Color change, temp change, and sweating would be ok.

1/5/19 by Cynthia 4000

Constant overwhelming burning pain and the cutting, stabbing, nerve pain, horrible hypersensitive skin pain A milder symptom might be normal muscle aches

1/16/21 by Patricia 3050

Pain Depression Cognitive impairment Atrophy Vision impairment

3/19/21 by Melanie 1200

The most limiting symptoms of CRPS are burning sensation, nerve pain, nerve spasms, and atrophy.

3/29/21 by Sage0920 2000

There are 2 types of CRPS. Type 1 and type 2. I have type 2. Triggered by a dislocated left shoulder and fractured upper left arm.

11/3/22 by Heather 5020
Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Pain pain pain and more pain!

10/29/17 by Isabel. Translated

Top questions

What is the life expectancy of someone with CRPS Complex Regional Pain Synd...

Celebrities with CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Is CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome hereditary?

Is CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome contagious?

Is there any natural treatment for CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

View more questions of CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

World map of CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Find people with CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome through the map. Connect with them and share experiences. Join the CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome community.

There are 1724 people in the map. View Map of CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

About Diseasemaps

Information on diseasemaps.org is reported by users and is not medical advice. Diseasemaps 2024