CRPS is a chronic pain syndrome where the patient experiences intense and continuous pain that is worse than the initial injury would suggest. Generally the pain is in the extremities and tends to get worse over time. Usually one limb is affected, with the pain spreading until the entire arm or leg is painful. Often changes in temperature and color accompany what is usually an intense, burning pain. The skin is sensitive and the arm or leg often swells and sweats. The symptoms will vary over time and will vary from person to person. The cause is unknown, but is often triggered by surgery or injury.

Type 1 CRPS occurs after an injury that did not directly damage the nerves in the affected arm or leg; this type is also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Type 2 CRPS has also been called causalgia and occurs after the nerve of the affected limb has been injured.

Initially the patient often experiences redness, hypersensitivity, and noticalbe changes in temperatures. As time progresses, there may be hair, skin and nail changes; with the affected limb becoming cold. This is often accomanied by muscle spasms. The muscles may become weak and atropied.

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