CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) & RSD (Regional Sympathetic Dystrophy) Specialist

 

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, painful condition that typically affects one part of your body as the result of previous injury. Dr. Shawn Roofian, of the Ketamine Medical Institute, with three offices in the Los Angeles area, is a board-certified physician and a leader in ketamine infusion therapy for pain management. Ketamine relieves the chronic symptoms of CRPS so you can get your life back. Call either the Beverly Hills or Tarzana, California, offices, or schedule a consultation online to learn more about this cutting-edge therapy.

CRPS & RSD Q & A

What is chronic regional pain syndrome?

Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Type 1, formerly known as regional sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic pain syndrome that often affects your foot, arm, leg, or hand, as the result of an injury. It is thought to be a condition caused by damage to the peripheral and central nervous systems so it affects the messages sent between your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. CRPS is typically characterized by excessive pain, changes in skin color, changes in temperature, and swelling in the injured area.

Chronic regional pain syndrome is divided into two categories: CRPS Type 1 and CRPS Type 2. If you have the symptoms of CRPS, but you don’t have a medically confirmed nerve injury, it’s considered Type 1 or RSD. If you do have an associated nerve injury, it’s considered CRPS 2 because there is a confirmed cause.

What are the symptoms of CRPS/RSD?

The symptoms mostly occur in women, but can happen to anyone at any age, and are often characterized as a tingling, burning sensation in the affected limb, or a feeling that someone is squeezing that part of your body. The pain can spread from the affected area to you entire limb, or even to the opposite one. You often have increased sensitivity in the affected area, making normal skin contact extremely painful.

Other common symptoms of CRPS/RSD include:

• Swollen limbs
• Changes in skin color and texture in the affected area
• Joint stiffness
• Difficulty with coordination of that body part
• Jerking or tremors
• Abnormal hair or nail growth on the affected limb

How is CRPS/RSD treated?

Most commonly, CRPS/RSD is treated with some combination of physical therapy and rehabilitation, psychotherapy, and medications. Regularly exercising the affected limb can improve blood flow and decrease some symptoms.

Psychotherapy often helps you manage this painful condition and the effects it has on the quality of your life. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety are common among sufferers of chronic regional pain syndrome. As a result, you may have a heightened perception of pain, making rehabilitation efforts even more challenging.

Dr. Roofian and his experienced medical team successfully treat patients with CRPS/RSD without the use of habit-forming opioids. Instead, Dr. Roofian treats these symptoms with ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine, which is intravenously introduced to your body, interferes with the receptors in your brain that manage pain.

Ketamine interrupts these receptors and causes them to “reboot” so your perception of pain changes. The results are often immediate and long-lasting. Dr. Roofian tailors a treatment protocol to your specific needs so you get the maximum benefit and can finally get relief from disabling and frustrating symptoms.

Call the Los Angeles-area location in Tarzana, or Beverly Hills, California, or schedule a consultation online to learn more about ketamine therapy for CRPS/RSD.