Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia are both chronic pain conditions that can be especially difficult to diagnose and manage because they don’t always show up clearly on imaging or standard testing. CRPS typically develops after an injury or surgery and causes pain that’s disproportionate to the original injury, often in a limb, while fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body.
CRPS symptoms can include intense burning pain, changes in skin color or temperature, swelling, and increased sensitivity to touch in the affected limb, sometimes accompanied by changes in hair or nail growth. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness at specific points throughout the body, often alongside brain fog or mood changes.
Because both conditions are complex, treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach rather than a single procedure. For CRPS, this may include sympathetic nerve blocks to interrupt the pain signaling pathway, along with physical therapy to maintain function in the affected limb. For fibromyalgia, care often centers on medication management, trigger-point treatment for localized areas of pain, and coordination with physical therapy and, when appropriate, behavioral health support.
These conditions can be frustrating to live with, especially after previous evaluations haven’t provided clear answers. Our approach starts with a thorough history and exam to understand your specific pattern of symptoms, so we can build a realistic, coordinated plan rather than treating symptoms in isolation.