Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm, hand, leg, or foot after an injury such as a fracture, sprain, or surgery. Less commonly, CRPS can affect other areas, including the face. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may last for months or even years.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, CRPS is usually managed by multidisciplinary pain teams at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

What Is CRPS?

CRPS is a pain disorder that can affect multiple body systems, including the nerves, blood vessels, skin, muscles, and bones. It often develops:

  • After a fracture or broken bone
  • After surgery (for example, knee arthroscopy or carpal tunnel surgery)
  • After a sprain, crush injury, or deep cut
  • Occasionally after a stroke, heart attack, or spinal cord injury

Most cases follow an injury to an arm or leg, but the pain and other symptoms are usually much more intense and long‑lasting than expected for the original injury.

CRPS used to be called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).

Who Gets CRPS?

  • Females are about three times more likely to develop CRPS than males.
  • In adults, the arm is most commonly affected.
  • In children and teens, the leg is more often involved.

CRPS affects people differently. Two people with similar injuries in Grand Rapids may have very different levels of pain, disability, and response to treatment.

Symptoms of CRPS

Symptoms can change over time and may come and go. Common symptoms include:

  • Burning pain in the arm, hand, leg, or foot
  • Pain that feels much worse than expected for the type of injury
  • Pain that changes in intensity throughout the day
  • Allodynia – gentle touch, clothing, or even cool Michigan air on the skin feels painful
  • Changes in temperature of the affected limb (warmer or colder than the other side)
  • Changes in sweating – the affected limb may be sweatier or drier than the other limb
  • Skin changes – shiny, thin, discolored, red or bluish skin
  • Hair and nail changes – faster or slower growth, brittle nails, or changes in hair pattern
  • Swelling and stiffness
  • Loss of fine motor control – difficulty using the hand or foot for precise movements
  • Tremors or muscle spasms
  • A feeling that the limb is clumsy or “doesn’t belong” to the body

West Michigan’s cold, damp winters can sometimes make nerve pain and stiffness feel worse, so people with CRPS in Grand Rapids may notice more symptoms during colder months and some relief in warmer weather.

What Causes CRPS?

We Do Not Fully Understand the Cause

There is no single known cause of CRPS. Most specialists believe that several factors work together, and that the mix of these factors can be different for each person.

Possible mechanisms include:

1. Sympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction

The sympathetic nervous system controls many automatic functions in the body, such as:

  • Blood flow
  • Sweating
  • Hair and nail growth

In some people with CRPS, the sympathetic nerves may become overactive or misdirected, contributing to abnormal sweating, temperature changes, and pain. However, not everyone with CRPS has this problem.

2. Somatic Nervous System Dysfunction

The somatic nervous system carries messages between the brain, spinal cord, and limbs. In CRPS:

  • Normal sensations (light touch, warmth, or cold) can feel very painful (allodynia).
  • Clothing, bedsheets, or even air blowing over the skin can trigger pain.
  • Some people feel that the affected limb is larger, smaller, or not part of their body.

These changes suggest that the brain and spinal cord are processing pain signals differently.

3. Neurogenic Inflammation

The redness and swelling in CRPS can be different from typical swelling after an injury. Doctors believe that:

  • Nerves may release inflammatory chemicals directly into the tissues
  • This can cause persistent redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area

4. Reduced Blood Flow and Hypoxia

CRPS may cause tightening of the small blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the tissues. This can lead to:

  • Lower oxygen levels in the tissues (hypoxia)
  • Increased pain and sensitivity

5. Psychological Factors

Research suggests that psychological factors do not cause CRPS. However:

  • Severe or ongoing stress may be a trigger in a small number of cases
  • Mood, stress, anxiety, and depression can strongly affect how a person copes with chronic pain

In Grand Rapids, counseling and behavioral health services are available through major hospital systems and community providers to help people manage the emotional impact of CRPS.

How Is CRPS Diagnosed?

There is no single test that can confirm CRPS. Diagnosis is based on:

  • A detailed medical history
  • A thorough physical examination
  • The pattern of symptoms over time

Tests to Rule Out Other Conditions

Your doctor may order tests to exclude other causes of pain and swelling, such as:

  • Blood tests
  • X‑rays
  • Bone scans
  • CT scans
  • MRI scans

Not all healthcare professionals are familiar with CRPS, which can lead to:

  • Delayed diagnosis
  • Misdiagnosis (either missing CRPS or diagnosing it when it is not present)

If CRPS is suspected, it is important to see a clinician who understands the condition. In Grand Rapids, this may include:

  • A primary care physician or family doctor
  • A pain management specialist
  • A physiatrist (rehabilitation medicine doctor)
  • A neurologist
  • A physiotherapist (physical therapist) or occupational therapist familiar with CRPS

Treatment for CRPS in Grand Rapids, MI

There is no simple cure for CRPS, but early, coordinated treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve function. Care in Grand Rapids is often provided through multidisciplinary pain clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Treatment usually combines several approaches:

1. Medications

Medications aim to reduce pain, swelling, and nerve sensitivity. These may include:

  • Pain relievers – such as acetaminophen or certain prescription medications
  • Anti‑inflammatory drugs – to help with swelling and discomfort
  • Neuropathic pain medications – drugs often used for epilepsy or depression (for example, gabapentin, pregabalin, or certain antidepressants) can help nerve pain
    • Being prescribed these medicines does not mean you have epilepsy or depression
  • Topical treatments – creams, gels, or patches that may reduce pain in a specific area

Medication plans are individualized and are usually managed by a pain management team.

2. Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Movement is a key part of CRPS treatment. In Grand Rapids, physical and occupational therapy services are widely available through hospital systems and outpatient clinics.

Therapy often progresses in stages:

  1. Pain and swelling control

    • Gentle positioning
    • Desensitization techniques (light touch, textures)
    • Modalities as recommended by your therapist

  2. Gentle movement

    • Guided range‑of‑motion exercises
    • Gradual use of the affected limb

  3. Muscle‑strengthening exercises

    • To restore strength and support the joint

  4. Functional and whole‑body exercises

    • To return to daily activities, work, school, and recreational activities common in West Michigan (walking trails, gardening, winter activities, etc.)

Occupational therapists can also help with:

  • Adapting home and work tasks
  • Recommending assistive devices
  • Teaching strategies to protect the affected limb while staying active

3. Counseling and Psychological Support

Living with chronic pain can be emotionally draining. Many people with CRPS benefit from:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Stress‑management strategies
  • Support for anxiety, depression, or sleep problems

In Grand Rapids, behavioral health services are available through:

  • Corewell Health and Trinity Health behavioral medicine clinics
  • Community mental health providers
  • Local pain management programs

Psychological support does not imply the pain is “in your head”; it is a crucial part of managing any chronic pain condition.

4. Interventional Pain Procedures

For some people, interventional therapies can help control symptoms:

  • Sympathetic nerve blocks (sympathetic ganglion blocks)
    • Local anesthetic is injected near the sympathetic nerves supplying the affected limb
    • May temporarily reduce pain and improve blood flow

Other procedures may be considered depending on your response and overall health, usually coordinated by a pain specialist.

5. Implantable Therapies (Last Resort)

In severe, long‑lasting cases where other treatments have not helped, implantable devices may be considered, such as:

  • Spinal cord stimulators (electrodes placed near the spinal cord)
  • Implanted medication pumps that deliver pain medicine directly to the spinal fluid

These procedures are typically performed by pain specialists or neurosurgeons and are considered only after more conservative treatments have been tried.

Long‑Term Outlook for CRPS

Most people with CRPS improve significantly over time, especially with early diagnosis and active treatment. However:

  • Some people continue to have ongoing symptoms, ranging from mild to severe
  • A small group experience long‑term pain and disability

Risk of Relapse

  • About 1 in 10 adults may develop a new episode of CRPS after a period without symptoms
  • Children and teenagers are more likely to have a relapse than adults
  • Relapses may occur:
    • Without a clear reason
    • After a new injury or surgery

Current thinking suggests that the risk of relapse may be lower if certain types of anesthetics or pain medicines are used during surgery. If you have a history of CRPS and need surgery in Grand Rapids:

  • Inform your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and pain specialist ahead of time
  • Ask about a perioperative pain plan to reduce your risk of recurrence

Living With CRPS in Grand Rapids, MI

Managing CRPS in West Michigan involves both medical care and daily self‑management:

  • Keep regular appointments with your primary care provider and pain team
  • Stay as active as your pain allows, adjusting for seasonal changes (for example, indoor exercises during icy winter months)
  • Protect the affected limb, but avoid complete immobilization unless your doctor advises it
  • Use local resources such as:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs and community education
    • Hospital‑based pain management education and support groups

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you think you may have CRPS or are struggling with chronic limb pain, contact:

  • Your primary care provider or family doctor
  • Pain management services at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Physical and occupational therapy clinics throughout Grand Rapids
  • Behavioral health providers for counseling and coping strategies

For urgent concerns about severe pain, swelling, or sudden changes in limb color or temperature, visit an urgent care center or emergency department at a local Grand Rapids hospital.

Key Points About CRPS

  • CRPS is a chronic pain condition that usually affects an arm or leg after an injury or surgery.
  • Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may last for months or years.
  • In adults, the arm is most commonly affected; in children, the leg is more often involved.
  • The affected limb may be sweatier or drier, warmer or colder, and may show changes in skin, hair, and nails.
  • The exact cause of CRPS is not fully understood, and several nerve and blood flow factors are likely involved.
  • There is no single cure, but early, multidisciplinary treatment in Grand Rapids can improve pain and restore function.
  • CRPS affects people differently; each person’s response to treatment will be unique.