What is the Difference Between CRPS 1 and 2

The key difference between CRPS 1 and 2 is that CRPS 1 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that occurs without nerve damage, while CRPS 2 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that occurs after a known nerve damage.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that causes chronic pain and usually affects an arm or leg. Complex regional pain syndrome typically occurs after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. There are two subtypes of CRPS: they are CRPS 1 (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) and CRPS 2 (causalgia).

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is CRPS 1  
3. What is CRPS 2
4. Similarities – CRPS 1 and 2
5. CRPS 1 vs 2 in Tabular Form
6. Summary – CRPS 1 vs 2

What is CRPS 1 (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)?

CRPS 1 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that occurs without nerve damage. This condition is also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy. CRPS 1 is triggered by tissue injury where there is no underlying nerve injury. The symptoms of this condition include chronic intense pain that gets worse over time, pain that most often affects the arms, legs, hands, or feet, burning pain, increased sensitivity to touch, changes in skin temperature, changes in skin colour (purple, pale or red), changes in skin texture (shiny or thin), changes in the nail and hair growth pattern, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints, and motor disability that affects moving the parts of the body. Moreover, CRPS 1 is often a result of trauma to the extremities, like sprains, fractures, surgery, damage to blood vessels or nerves, and certain brain injuries.

CRPS 1 is diagnosed through physical examination, imaging studies (x-rays, MRI), or nerve conduction tests. Furthermore, the treatment options for CRPS 1 may include pain relief medications (acetaminophen and ibuprofen), physical therapy, and surgical options. However, there is no permanent cure for this condition, and some patients may experience remission of symptoms.

What is CRPS 2 (Causalgia)?

CRPS 2 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that is also called causalgia. CRPS 2 occurs after known nerve damage. CRPS 2 occurs after an injury or trauma to a peripheral nerve. It is a neurological disorder that can produce long-lasting or chronic, intense pain. The symptoms of this condition may include intense pain generally localized to the area around the injured nerve, burning sensation, pins and needle sensation, hypersensitivity around the area of the injury, swelling or stiffness of the affected limb, abnormal sweating around the injured site and skin color (pale or red skin colour) or temperature changes (feeling cool and warm again) around the injured area. Moreover, CRPS 2 is triggered by peripheral nerve injury from a fracture, sprain, or surgery, soft-tissue trauma (burn), crushing injury (like slamming the finger in a car door), and amputation.

CRPS 2 is diagnosed through physical examination, a record of medical history, X-ray, MRI, and thermography to test skin temperature and blood flow in the injured area. Furthermore, treatment options for CRPS 2 may include steroids to reduce inflammation, medications like certain antidepressants and anticonvulsants, nerve blocks, opioids and pumps that inject drugs directly into the spine to block pain signals, physical therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and heat therapy.

What are the Similarities Between CRPS 1 and 2?

• CRPS 1 and 2 are two types of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
• Both types are characterized by intense, burning, excruciating pain.
• Both types can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They are treated through pain relief medications and physical therapy.

What is the Difference Between CRPS 1 and 2?

CRPS 1 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that occurs without nerve damage, while CRPS 2 is a type of complex regional pain syndrome that occurs after known nerve damage. Thus, this is the key difference between CRPS 1 and 2. Furthermore, CRPS 1 is triggered by trauma to the extremities, like sprains, fractures, surgery, damage to blood vessels or nerves, and certain brain injuries. On the other hand, CRPS 2 is triggered by peripheral nerve injury from a fracture, sprain, or surgery, soft-tissue trauma (burn), crushing injury (like slamming the finger in a car door), and amputation.

The below infographic presents the differences between CRPS 1 and 2 in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – CRPS 1 vs 2

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neurological condition that causes chronic or long-lasting intense pain and other symptoms, especially in the extremities, such as legs and hands. CRPS 1 and 2 are two types of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). They are usually characterized by intense, burning, excruciating pain. CRPS 1 occurs without nerve damage, while CRPS 2 occurs after a known nerve damage. So, this is the key difference between CRPS 1 and 2.

Reference:

1. “Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome.” Department of Health.
2. Christiano, Donna. “Causalgia (CRPS Type II): Definition, Symptoms, Treatment.” Healthline, Healthline Media.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Reflex sympathetic dystrophy” By owlana (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
2. “CRPS-RSD of the left foot” By Thermadvocate – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia