Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition where high levels of nerve signals are sent to a specific area of the body, mostly in an arm or leg. It usually is developed after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack. This incurable condition occurs most commonly between the ages of 20-35 and affects more woman than men. The pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury and the cause of it is unknown. It is thought to be caused by an injury or maybe an abnormality to the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Complex regional pain syndrome has two types of causes:
• Type 1 is most common, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD), and this happens after an illness or injury that didn’t directly affect the nerves in the affected limb.
• Type 2 is called causalgia and has pain following a specific nerve injury.
Since the specific cause is not well understood, the only thing known is that it mostly occurs after a major trauma to an arm or leg, but even minor traumas like heart attacks can cause CRPS. However, not everyone with these injuries will develop CRPS.
Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome include:
• Skin color changes
• Skin swelling
• Nail or hair growth changes
• Limited movement
There are a variety of treatment options and your doctor will try some of the following:
• Pain-relievers or steroids
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Chronic pain can potentially be eased by applying electrical impulses to nerve endings.
• Physical therapy
• Neuromodulation, which involves using electrical stimulation to slow the nerve firing and decrease pain
Some of these treatments are effective, but for others, when these treatments stop working, ketamine infusions have been proven as one of the most effective way to combat the pain of CRPS. With CRPS, there are changes in your central nervous system that send signals of pain to your body, due to some activation of some NMDA nerve cell receptors. Ketamine works to block those receptors from firing, thus decreasing the symptoms of chronic pain.
These infusions are monitored by professionals in a clinical setting, and generally provide relief within 1-2 hours of the infusion. Some patients experience relief for up to 11-months post-infusion, though other patients may need more frequent visits. Everyone is different, so you will need to consult your ketamine infusion clinic to see if it’s the best option for you.
Ketamine Infusion Clinic in Tallahassee, FL
Ketamine infusions are a lifesaver for those suffering from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and more. If you or a loved one is struggling, please contact New Horizon Clinics for a free consultation.