Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a complicated nerve pain condition that usually develops after an injury or surgery. It’s widely known for constant pain, swelling, changes in skin color or temperature, and many other difficult symptoms that interfere with everyday life. One of the worries that troubles a lot of people living with CRPS is whether the pain or strange symptoms will keep moving beyond the original area – spreading from a single hand to the rest of the arm, or even starting to impact another limb entirely.

This fear is not just imagination or anxiety. In some cases, CRPS does spread to other parts of the body. Getting an early diagnosis and having a true understanding of what CRPS is, why it spreads, and what treatment is best gives you a chance to heal and move forward with your life.

When a diagnosis is delayed or medical professionals miss the progression, long-term disability becomes more likely. If you were misdiagnosed or your CRPS was brushed off early on, legal action may be an option.

Definition of CRPS

CRPS is a long-lasting nerve condition that causes severe pain, swelling, movement problems, and changes in the appearance or temperature of a limb. This condition often affects a limb, such as an arm, leg, hand, or foot, and is known to spread in some cases to other areas of the body.

CRPS type I vs. type II

There are two types of CRPS that are generally recognized:

• Type I (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy): This form develops after some sort of soft-tissue injury, sprain, or illness, but without a confirmed nerve injury.
• Type II (Causalgia): This type occurs after a known nerve injury or damage.

Both types share almost the same symptoms, including burning and extreme sensitivity, but are different in that one actually came about because of nerve damage.

Common patterns of CRPS spread

Complex regional pain syndrome doesn’t always stay in the place where it started. How symptoms move or “spread” can alarm many people. Understanding these patterns helps victims recognize changes and seek appropriate care. Here’s how the condition often spreads:

Contiguous spread

This is the most typical pattern. The pain and symptoms grow slowly, creeping into areas right next to the original injury. For example, if the problem started in your hand, it may climb up your arm.

Independent or remote spread

Sometimes symptoms seem to jump to totally unrelated areas of the body, skipping over large sections nearby. Someone might have started with severe foot pain but suddenly have similar problems in one of their hands, possibly even on the other side of the body.

Mirror-image spread

In other cases, symptoms may start to appear on the opposite side of the body in the same location. For example, if the original pain was in the left arm, it may then appear in the right arm.

Ipsilateral spread

Here, the symptoms might stay on the same side of the body but spread to another location. Swelling or burning may initially occur in a patient’s right foot, but then also start to appear in their right hand, for example.

While every case is unique, understanding the potential pathways CRPS can take can be beneficial for individuals experiencing it.

Factors influencing CRPS spread

Understanding why CRPS might spread to other parts of the body can be helpful for patients and their loved ones so they aren’t as confused and overwhelmed by what’s going on.

Central nervous system involvement

The central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord, can start working differently after a nerve injury. Paths in the spinal cord and the brain may “rewire” themselves, making more body areas sensitive. This can lead to pain appearing far from where it originated.

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction

The autonomic nervous system keeps things like temperature and blood flow steady without your awareness. With CRPS, these automatic controls can malfunction. When this system malfunctions, it can alter the circulation and sensation in parts of the body that weren’t injured, causing the problem to spread to new locations.

Neuroinflammation

This refers to swelling and irritation within the nerves, as well as in the brain and spinal cord. When the immune system is triggered, it releases chemicals that can spread inflammation beyond the injured nerve, allowing symptoms to reach other parts of the body.

Abnormal pain processing in the brain

Sometimes the brain struggles to make sense of normal signals after an injury. Pain messages may be mixed up or exaggerated. This mix-up can cause regular sensations, like a light touch, to feel painful and cause it to move elsewhere in the body as if those new parts are also damaged.

Patient factors

Some people are simply more likely to experience CRPS spread. Some studies suggest that age and early symptom severity may influence the progression of CRPS, but individual outcomes vary widely. A strong reaction early on, characterized by significant swelling, sweating, or dramatic color changes, sometimes leads to symptoms spreading beyond the original injured area.

Living with CRPS can feel overwhelming and is often unpredictable, especially when the condition starts to spread. If you have questions about what’s going on, the best thing you can do is reach out for medical help immediately.

What patients should do if they suspect CRPS is spreading

Noticing CRPS symptoms moving to other areas can be both scary and confusing. While medical science still can’t pinpoint exactly why CRPS spreads, getting help quickly is important for your health and, sometimes, for your legal rights.

Seek immediate care from pain specialists

See a pain specialist as soon as possible if you think your CRPS is spreading. Early treatment may give you the best chance to manage new symptoms. Doctors with experience in CRPS can recommend medication, physical therapy, or other options aimed at controlling spread and reducing flare-ups.

Document new symptoms

Keep a journal or take photos to track any new symptoms as soon as they appear. Include details such as the affected area, any color changes, swelling, temperature differences, and how the pain feels. Good records can help both your medical team and, if needed, your legal team.

Avoid unnecessary surgeries

Undergoing surgery while you’re flaring up with CRPS symptoms or while it’s actively spreading  should be approached with caution and carefully evaluated by your treating physicians as it could make the situation worse or lead to even further spreading. Always discuss all risks with your doctors.

Talk to an attorney with experience in CRPS cases

If your pain spreads because of a delayed diagnosis, a missed diagnosis, or unneeded treatment, you may have the right to seek compensation. Reaching out to an attorney familiar with CRPS can protect your rights and help you get the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Our team knows how confusing this process can feel and will guide you each step of the way. Schedule your free consultation with us today. Call us or visit our website to chat with our team or complete our online contact form.