November is CRPS Awareness month, which is the perfect time to highlight treatment options that sufferers may be unaware of. CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition that most often affects one limb (arm, leg, hand or foot) usually after an injury. CRPS is incredibly painful, debilitating and significantly impacts the quality of life of the patient. It is estimated that 200,000 people in the United States suffer from CRPS.
There are two forms of CRPS, type I and Type II distinguished by the following:
Type I: Occurs after a form of trauma or fracture such as a sprained ankle and involves soft tissue.
Type II: Usually associated with nerve damage. This may result after breaking a bone, having surgery or an infection.
Nerve pain associated with CRPS can be difficult to treat, however at South Lake Pain Institute our double-board certified physicians in anesthesiology and pain management offer Ketamine Infusions to provide relief and allow CRPS sufferers a higher quality of life.
One of the reasons Ketamine is such an optimal treatment for CRPS is that it can reduce not only the pain symptoms, but also the depression frequently triggered by the syndrome. Patients can obtain relief from pain and depression caused by CRPS in just a few hours after their first Ketamine infusion treatment.
Ketamine is a potent anesthetic that works to block the nerve cell receptors, namely NMDA, which is believed to amplify pain. Ketamine blocks these nerve cells from firing, which decreases the pain.
Ketamine infusions are performed comfortably in our office. We deliver ketamine into your blood through an IV (intravenous line). The infusion often takes 3-4 hours and our physicians will titrate the dose to your individual health condition. Throughout the infusion a nurse will monitor your vital signs and comfort level.
The dose used for ketamine infusions is lower than used during anesthesia (ketamine is a drug often used in anesthesia for surgery), which means you will likely be wakeful and alert. However, as doses may be increased, you might get sleepy or feel like falling asleep. We will continually monitor you, so you are never unconscious.
After the infusion, patients stay at our office for at least one hour for additional monitoring of vital signs. While you will be alert and wakeful, we will require you to have someone drive you home following the infusion.
It is estimated that 50-60 percent of people get relief from ketamine infusions. Most feel a difference right after the infusion, but every patient is different and it could take more than one infusion.
Call our office today to learn more about Ketamine Infusions and to determine if they might be right for you.
