Overview

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) syndrome, is a chronic pain condition that often occurs in the arms or legs after an injury. CRPS causes the body to react abnormally to even a minor injury, leading to worsened pain over time.

Specialists think nerve damage may be a cause of CRPS. Nerve endings may become extra sensitive to the sympathetic nervous system's chemical messengers and can stimulate pain even when it is unnecessary.

CRPS most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 40 to 60 years, however, it does occur in younger people as well.