Ketamine Treatment for CRPS: Hope for Chronic Pain Sufferers
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects the limbs after an injury, surgery, or stroke. It is typically characterized by severe, persistent pain, which patients often describe as burning or throbbing, alongside swelling, sensitivity, and limited mobility in the affected area. Traditional treatments for CRPS, such as physical therapy, medications, and nerve blocks, are often insufficient when it comes to managing the extreme pain experienced by patients. However, recent studies have shown that ketamine may offer significant pain relief for those suffering from CRPS.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication that has been used for decades as an anesthetic in surgical settings. In recent years, it has gained attention for use in treating chronic pain conditions, including CRPS. Ketamine works by blocking NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain, which play a key role in pain signaling pathways. By inhibiting these receptors, ketamine may help “reset” the brain’s perception of pain, providing relief for patients where other treatments have been unable to.
Why Ketamine for CRPS?
Research suggests that CRPS involves abnormal functioning of the nervous system, where the body overreacts to pain stimuli. This hyperactivity of pain pathways is partially driven by the same NMDA receptors that ketamine targets. For CRPS patients, ketamine can reduce the sensitization associated with this disorder, dampening the chronic pain signals that cause the pain.
A review published in the Clinical Journal of Pain explored the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine in patients with CRPS. The study found that patients who underwent ketamine infusions experienced significant reductions in pain, with some reporting relief lasting several months. Other research supports the idea that ketamine not only decreases pain but can improve function and mobility, offering a potential lifeline for those who have exhausted traditional pain management options.
What to Expect During Ketamine Infusions
Ketamine treatments for CRPS are typically administered intravenously, which is why we monitor our patients directly. The infusion process may last several hours, with most patients undergoing multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. The dosage and length of treatment vary depending on the severity of the CRPS and the patient’s response to ketamine.
One of the largest case studies conducted at the Cleveland Clinic showed that patients treated with low-dose ketamine infusions reported meaningful pain reduction without severe side effects. The therapy was well-tolerated, though some individuals experienced temporary side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and dissociation. This is why the treatment must be administered under medical supervision due to the potent effects of ketamine.
For individuals living with the severe, unrelenting pain of CRPS, ketamine infusions represent a ray of hope. While further research is needed to refine the treatment, early results show that ketamine can significantly alleviate pain, improve quality of life, and provide relief where other treatments have failed. If you or someone you love is battling CRPS and struggling to find effective pain management, discussing ketamine treatment with Dr. Ashford may be worth considering.
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Links:
https://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/fulltext/2020/07000/optimizing_the_treatment_of_crps_with_ketamine.3.aspx
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887617707001230
https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/guiding-research-on-ketamine-usage-for-crps
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8601938/
