What is CRPS?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a condition which causes pain in an arm or leg. It usually develops after an injury, but the pain is more severe and lasts much longer than would be usually expected from the injury itself. CRPS type I follows an injury such as a fracture or sprain, but with no nerve damage. It can also sometimes occur spontaneously, without any obvious trigger. CRPS type II follows damage to a nerve in the limb.

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We have developed a short video for people with CRPS, which can be viewed below and was created as a result of findings from the ENACT-CRPS research study.  Our thanks go to the University of the West of England for their funding support and technical expertise.

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Children and adults of all ages can develop CRPS. It is most commonly found in hands and wrists, feet and ankles, or knees. In some people, the whole limb (or more than one limb) can be affected. Pain is the main symptom, which is often described as a burning or stabbing sensation. The affected limb can be swollen and very sensitive to touch. There may be temperature or colour changes. A reduction in limb function means that everyday tasks (e.g. dressing or preparing a meal) can become very difficult for some people. ​

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There is no specific test that will confirm a diagnosis of CRPS, but scans and blood tests can help to rule out other conditions. The Budapest criteria, adopted by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) in 2004, has become the globally recognised list of signs and symptoms to aid diagnosis. The Valencia consensus-based adaptation of the Budapest criteria was published in 2021, incorporating updates to the assessment instructions and associated text. 

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