CRPS Treatment at Renacres Hospital in Ormskirk

If you've been told you have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), or your doctor suspects it may be the cause of your symptoms, you may be wondering what treatment options are available and whether your pain can be improved.

CRPS is a complex condition that affects your nervous system, and treatment often involves a combination of approaches rather than a single solution. Depending on your CRPS symptoms and individual needs, this may include medication, physiotherapy, psychological support and specialist pain management procedures.

At Ramsay Health Care UK, our experienced pain management consultants provide personalised, multidisciplinary care to help reduce your pain, improve function and support your quality of life. This page explains the treatment options available for CRPS and how they may form part of your individual treatment plan.

What is CRPS pain?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, surgery, stroke or other trauma. While your original injury may have healed, your nervous system continues to send pain signals, leading to ongoing symptoms that can significantly affect your daily life.

CRPS pain is often disproportionate to the original injury. It can be persistent and affect movement, independence and your overall quality of life. Many people experience a combination of physical symptoms, emotional challenges and difficulties carrying out everyday activities. 

One of the most common questions people ask is, "How painful is CRPS?" The severity can vary significantly from person to person, but many experience intense, ongoing pain that can affect sleep, work, mobility and day-to-day activities.

Getting a CRPS diagnosis

Getting an accurate diagnosis is usually the first step before CRPS treatment can begin.

However, there is no single test that can confirm CRPS. Instead, diagnosis is based on a specialist assessment of your symptoms, your medical history and a physical examination. 

Because many conditions can cause similar symptoms, your consultant may arrange tests to rule out other possible causes. These can include blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans or nerve conduction studies. While these investigations can help exclude alternative diagnoses, they cannot definitively confirm CRPS. 

If CRPS is suspected, early referral to a specialist pain management team can help ensure appropriate treatment and support are put in place as soon as possible.

What treatment options are available for CRPS?

There is no single cure or quick fix for CRPS. Treatment is usually most effective when delivered through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the physical, neurological and psychological effects of your condition.

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual symptoms and may involve a combination of therapies designed to reduce your pain, improve movement and support your day-to-day functioning. These may include:

• Diagnosis: It would be helpful to mention the Budapest criteria, which are the accepted clinical diagnostic criteria for CRPS. Investigations are primarily used to exclude alternative diagnoses rather than confirm CRPS.
• Medication: I’d place greater emphasis on medications used for neuropathic pain and be a little more cautious about opioids, given the limited evidence for long-term benefit. Bisphosphonates and corticosteroids may also be considered in selected early cases.
• Physiotherapy: This section could mention graded motor imagery and mirror therapy, which are recognised components of CRPS rehabilitation.
• Injections: This is the main section I would change. Nerve root blocks and trigger point injections aren’t generally considered specific treatments for CRPS. Sympathetic blocks would be more relevant, although the evidence supporting their long-term effectiveness is limited.
• Spinal cord stimulation: This is an appropriate treatment to mention, but I’d emphasise that it is reserved for carefully selected patients with persistent symptoms despite other treatments, following multidisciplinary assessment.
• Prognosis: It might be worth adding that many patients experience significant improvement over time. The current wording could leave patients with the impression that CRPS is invariably a lifelong condition.

Medication for CRPS pain management

Medication can help manage your pain associated with CRPS, but it is usually just one part of a wider treatment plan.

Depending on your symptoms, your consultant may recommend different types of medication, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants or, in some cases, opioids. The most appropriate approach will vary from person to person and will be tailored to your individual needs.

The aim of medication is often to reduce pain sufficiently to support participation in physiotherapy, rehabilitation and other treatments designed to improve movement, function and quality of life.

Physical therapy and psychological support for CRPS

Successful CRPS treatment often involves more than medication or medical procedures alone. Physical and psychological therapies play an important role in helping people manage symptoms, improve function and regain confidence in everyday activities, supporting long-term recovery and overall quality of life.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can help improve movement and reduce sensitivity in your affected area through carefully guided rehabilitation techniques. These may include graded exposure to movement, desensitisation techniques and exercises tailored to your individual needs. 

Learn more about our physiotherapy services.

Psychological therapy

Living with persistent pain can also affect your emotional wellbeing, mood and confidence. Psychological support, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can help you develop practical coping strategies, manage the impact of chronic pain and stay engaged with your rehabilitation programme. 

Learn more about our psychotherapy services.

Interventional pain management treatments

For some people with CRPS, specialist pain management procedures may be recommended as part of a wider treatment plan. These treatments are typically considered alongside medication, physiotherapy and psychological support, helping to reduce pain and improve participation in rehabilitation.

A pain management consultant will assess your individual circumstances and advise whether any interventional treatments may be appropriate as part of your overall CRPS treatment plan.

Spinal cord stimulation for CRPS

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the most established interventional treatments for people with persistent CRPS who have not achieved sufficient relief from more conservative treatments.

SCS works by using gentle electrical impulses to modify pain signals before they reach your brain. For some patients, this can help reduce pain levels, improve function and support a better quality of life.

Nerve blocks and injections for CRPS

Some patients may benefit from injections or nerve-targeted treatments designed to help manage pain and support rehabilitation. These procedures are often used to help patients engage more effectively with physiotherapy and other aspects of their treatment plan.

Depending on your symptoms and clinical assessment, your consultant may discuss treatments such as nerve root blocks or other pain-relieving injections as part of your personalised care pathway.

Learn more about our nerve root block injections and trigger point injections services.

Living with CRPS: ongoing management and support

For many people, CRPS is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management rather than a one-off treatment. Symptoms can change over time, and the treatments that are most effective may evolve as your needs and circumstances change.

While this can feel daunting, it is important to remember that many people benefit from a personalised treatment plan that is regularly reviewed and adapted. If one approach is not providing sufficient relief, your consultant may recommend adjustments to your medication, rehabilitation programme or interventional treatments.

At Ramsay Health Care UK, your care is overseen by an experienced pain management consultant who can coordinate your treatment pathway and monitor your progress over time. This helps ensure that different aspects of your care, including medication management, physiotherapy, psychological support and pain interventions, work together towards shared treatment goals.

By taking a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, we aim to help you manage your symptoms, maintain function and achieve the best possible quality of life, both now and in the future.

CRPS treatment at Ramsay Health Care

At Ramsay Health Care UK, our experienced pain management consultants provide personalised care for people living with CRPS. Because CRPS can affect many aspects of your health and wellbeing, treatment is delivered through a multidisciplinary, consultant-led approach that may include pain management, physiotherapy, psychological support and interventional treatments.

We understand the importance of timely access to specialist care. Patients can often benefit from shorter waiting times for consultation and treatment compared with NHS pathways, helping them begin their treatment journey sooner.

Our consultants will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms, goals and response to treatment, with ongoing reviews to ensure your care continues to meet your needs.

We offer flexible payment options, including self-pay treatment through our Total Care package, 0% finance options and acceptance of most major private medical insurance providers. You can learn more about our self-funding options on our Self-Funding Prices page.

You can also use our Hospital Finder to find your nearest Ramsay hospital and enquire about CRPS treatment in your area.

Ready to take the next step?

Call us on 0808 223 0500 to book an appointment with one of our pain management specialists today or contact us to discuss your treatment options.

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