Complex regional pain syndrome CRPS is a very painful disorder that affects people after a seemingly minor injury sometimes. The problem is not understood very well. Doctors don’t know what causes it or why it happens. That makes CRPS a difficult condition to treat effectively.
In recent years, anti-inflammatory medications have been used with mixed results. But the fact that this approach works for some patients makes it worth investigating further. If CRPS is an exaggerated response of the immune system to tissue injury, then inflammatory messengers and inflammatory cells must be part of the signaling system that bring on the painful symptoms.
People with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) often experience intense pain, swelling and skin changes (color, texture, hair growth, temperature). The net result is a loss of motion and function along with reduced quality of life.
Scientists hope that by cutting off immune cells like cytokines, chemokines, and mast cells, it might be possible to stop (or even prevent) these disabling symptoms. A recent report from The Netherlands published results on two types of antiinflammatory medications used with complex regional pain syndrome: corticosteroids and free radical scavengers.
These drugs are much more powerful than regular ibuprofen. Corticosteroids used often include oral prednisolone and piroxicam (CNT). Free radical scavengers include DMSO, vitamin C, and Mannitol.
Free radicals are unstable oxygen atoms that form when they lose an electron. Electrons like to be in pairs. The loss of one electron literally puts the atom into orbit. It becomes a scavenger looking for another oxygen atom so that it can rob or steal the necessary electron.
The result is a cascade of damage to the cells as new radicals are formed in order to salvage the damaged oxygen atoms. Compounds like DMSO, vitamin C, and Mannitol work by getting rid of free radicals. Inflammatory reactions are reduced by eliminating free radicals. The end-result is to limit the amount of tissue damage that occurs from inflammation. In some clinics, corticosteroids and free radical scavengers are used together.
Both classes of drugs (corticosteroids and free radical scavengers) have been shown to provide relief from painful symptoms. Patients receiving either medication show significant improvements. This tells us that it is possible to stop the inflammatory process in different ways (turning off inflammatory cells, getting rid of damaging free radicals).
Matching the most helpful drug to each individual patient is the next challenge. If you begin a course of medications that do not give you the results you are hoping for, don’t hesitate to go back to the prescribing physician. You may need a change in dosage or even a different drug.