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FIGHT THE FLAME
  • Home
  • What Is CRPS?
  • How is CRPS Diagnosed?
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Support Group
  • How To Help
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FTF Newsletters
  • FTF Scholarship

How is CRPS Diagnosed?

The CRPS diagnosis can be very challenging.

A diagnosis is based on a few variables; a person’s medical history, physical symptoms,and medical diagnostics. 


SYMPTOMS:

Using Budapest Criteria, as a diagnosis of CRPS, a patient must have at least one symptom in three of the following four categories: Sensory: an abnormal increase in sensitivity (hyperesthesia) and/or allodynia Vasomotor: skin color changes or temperature and/or skin color changes between the limbs Sudomotor: swelling (edema) and/or sweating differences between the limbs; Motor: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction, tremors/ muscular spasms (dystonia) and/or trophic changes (changes to hair/nails and/or skin).


SIGNS:

At the examination, at least one sign must be present in two or more of the following categories: Sensory: hyperalgesia (to pinprick) and/or allodynia, deep somatic (physical) pressure Vasomotor: temperature differences between the limb and/or skin color changes and/or skin color changes between the limb; Sudomotor: edema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating differences between the limbs; Motor/trophic: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (i.e. weakness, tremor or muscle spasm) and/or trophic changes



Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies are often performed

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Budapest Criteria

Budapest Criteria

Testing and CRPS

Thermography

One of the most useful tests in diagnosing CRPS is thermography. 
Thermography is a visual mapping of the skin. A person’s skin temperature is controlled by their sympathetic nervous system. 

Thermography can show temperature differences down to 1/10th of one degree centigrade.  If there is a difference one degree centigrade from one limb to the other, that would mean the sympathetic nervous system was malfunctioning hence a diagnosis of CRPS.

• Testing may also be used to help rule out other conditions, such as arthritis, Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, etc. 

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  • What Is CRPS?
  • How is CRPS Diagnosed?
  • About Us
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  • Support Group
  • How To Help
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FTF Newsletters
  • FTF Scholarship

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