What is the Difference Between CRPS and Fibromyalgia

The key difference between CRPS and fibromyalgia is that CRPS is a chronic pain disorder characterized by intense pain and changes in the skin colour and temperature in certain parts of the body, such as arm, leg, hand, or foot, while fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by less intense widespread pain and tenderness in the musculoskeletal system.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two chronic pain disorders. Both CRPS and fibromyalgia share many features. Moreover, these conditions are due to the dysfunction of the somatic nervous system (SNS). However, CRPS causes severe pain in the body, while fibromyalgia causes less intense pain in the body.

CONTENTS

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

What is CRPS?

CRPS is a condition that causes severe pain and changes in the skin colour and temperature in certain parts of the body, such as the body extremities (arms, legs, and feet). There are two types: CRPS1 and CRPS 2. Type 1 occurs without nerve damage, while type 2 occurs after known nerve damage. CRPS is a rare condition that affects about 200,000 people every year in the U.S. This condition is very common in females than in males. The signs and symptoms of CRPS include increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, feeling pain from stimuli that are usually not painful, numbness, skin swelling, skin colour and temperature changes, decreased function in the affected limb, skin texture changes, and changes in nail and hair growth. CRPS is due to an inflammatory or immune reaction in both peripheral and central nervous systems triggered after trauma, surgery, sprains, burns, bruises, or cuts. The risk factors for this condition may include poor nerve health, immune system issues, and genetics.

CRPS is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electromyography (EMG). Furthermore, treatment options for CRPS may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, lifestyle changes (quitting smoking and exercising), psychosocial therapy, behavioral therapy, medications (pain relievers like NSAIDs), and alternative therapies for pain management (biofeedback, acupuncture, hypnosis, reiki, and chiropractic).

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in the muscles and joints throughout the body. It is a chronic pain disorder characterized by less intense widespread pain, tenderness in the musculoskeletal system, and fatigue. Females and people older than 40 are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include muscle pain, fatigue, face and jaw pain, headaches, digestive problems (diarrhoea), bladder control problems, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Fibromyalgia is due to genetic mutations in the genes responsible for forming neurotransmitters in the brain. Moreover, the risk factors for this condition may include age (more in people older than 40), sex (females), chronic illness (osteoarthritis, depression, anxiety, chronic back pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infections, stress, and trauma.

Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for fibromyalgia may include over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, exercises like stretches, sleep therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management therapy, and antidepressants.

What are the Similarities Between CRPS and Fibromyalgia?

• CRPS and fibromyalgia are two chronic pain disorders.
• Both CRPS and fibromyalgia share many features.
• Both these conditions are due to the dysfunction of the somatic nervous system (SNS).
• Both conditions can be seen in children as well as adults.
• Females are mainly affected by both conditions.
• Both these conditions may have similar symptoms like prolonged pain, fatigue, etc.
• Both these conditions can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination.
• They are mainly treated through medications and physical therapy.

What is the Difference Between CRPS and Fibromyalgia?

CRPS is a chronic pain disorder characterized by intense pain and changes in the skin colour and temperature in certain parts of the body, such as the arm, leg, hand, or foot, while fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by less intense, widespread pain and tenderness in the musculoskeletal system. Thus, this is the key difference between CRPS and fibromyalgia. Furthermore, CRPS is due to an inflammatory or immune reaction in both peripheral and central nervous systems triggered after trauma, surgery, sprains, burns, bruises, or cuts. On the other hand, fibromyalgia is due to genetic mutations in the genes responsible for forming the neurotransmitters in the brain.

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

Summary – CRPS vs Fibromyalgia

CRPS and fibromyalgia are two chronic pain disorders characterized by prolonged pain, fatigue, etc. CRPS is characterized by intense pain and changes in the skin colour and temperature in certain parts of the body, such as the arm, leg, hand, or foot. Fibromyalgia is characterized by less intense widespread pain and tenderness in the musculoskeletal system. So, this summarizes the difference between CRPS and fibromyalgia.

Reference:

1. “Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Causes & Symptoms.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Regional-symptoms-of-fibromyalgia” By Jointessentials (CC BY-SA 4.0)via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Complex regional pain syndrome” By Timsong311 (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia