CRPS Specialist

Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute

Ben Shamloo, MD FIPP

Interventional Spine & Pain Management located in Los Angeles, CA & Studio City, CA

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but debilitating condition that causes prolonged and severe pain in your arm, hand, leg, or foot. With care from Ben Shamloo, MD, FIPP, you can get support and treatment to relieve your CRPS symptoms. At Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute in Beverly Hills, California, Dr. Shamloo and the team provide the most advanced treatments for CRPS pain available to help you regain your quality of life. To schedule a visit, call or book online today.

CRPS Q & A

What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that causes pain in your arm, hand, leg, or foot. CRPS is typically caused by an injury or trauma, like a car accident, fracture, surgery, or even a needle stick for a blood test. In rare cases, the cause is genetic or unknown. Pain from CRPS is believed to be caused by a malfunction in the peripheral and central nervous systems pain pathways.

CRPS is considered a complex condition because symptoms can change over time but generally cause persistent or severe pain, changes in skin color or temperature, and swelling of the affected limb. There are two types of CRPS; the first was previously called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), and they’re categorized by their cause.

What are the symptoms of CRPS?

In addition to pain, skin changes, and swelling, CRPS can also present with symptoms like:

Burning or tingling pain
Skin changes that make the skin appear thin or shiny
Abnormal sweating in the affected limb
Changes in hair or nail growth of the affected limb
Joint stiffness
Decreased muscle coordination in the affected limb
Abnormal movements of the affected limb, like a lack of movement or jerkiness

The pain may move to different areas within the affected limb and can transfer to the opposite side of your body from the initial injury.

How is CRPS diagnosed?

There is no specific diagnostic test for CRPS, so Dr. Shamloo diagnoses the condition based on your symptoms, the characteristics of your pain, and your injury history when relevant. CRPS is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that Dr. Shamloo must rule out other more common conditions before diagnosing you with CRPS.

How is CRPS treated?

Treatment for CRPS varies based on the location and severity of your symptoms. Dr. Shamloo provides a variety of pain-relief options including:

Nerve blocks
Epidural injections
Corticosteroid injections
Joint and tendon injections
Trigger point injections

Since CRPS can cause additional health problems due to the pain, Dr. Shamloo works with other specialists in the area to ensure you receive appropriate treatment for all of your symptoms. Mental health support is available as well since CRPS is linked to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your CRPS symptoms by calling the office or booking online now.