What is CRPS/RSD?

CRPS/RSD is a disease of the autonomic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. It causes constant, intense, and severe pain disproportionate to the injury that initially caused the pain. In addition to pain, you may experience:

·       Swelling

·       Muscle spasms

·       Changes to your skin color and texture

·       Extreme sensitivity to touch and temperature

·       Insomnia

·       Problems with concentration and memory

·       Disability 

There are two types of CRPS. Type I follows a minor or secondary nerve injury in the wake of various injuries and illnesses, including soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, heart problems, and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Type II CRPS involves a definable major nerve injury and requires prompt medical treatment from a specialist to avoid chronic pain and debilitation. 

How is CRPS/RSD treated?

Our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) uses ketamine infusion therapy to treat chronic pain conditions. Ketamine infusion therapy works with your neurons to improve your brain function and reduce neurological pain. Many people have effective long-term pain relief with regular booster treatments following the initial series of ketamine infusion sessions. 

What happens during ketamine IV treatment for CRPS/RSD?

Our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) provides a consultation to determine if ketamine infusion therapy will reduce your pain and improve your overall health and well-being. 

If we think ketamine infusion therapy may help your pain, the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) usually offers a one to four-hour high-dose ketamine infusion administered in a very pleasant outpatient setting (not in the hospital), followed by a one-hour recovery period.

Treatment regimens can vary, but a common course of treatment may be done in a series of 6 infusions over two weeks, to begin with, then followed by one or two treatments every six to eight weeks to manage your symptoms. 

You should not eat solid food within 6 hours of the infusion and no liquids within 2-hours.

Most medications should be taken at their regular times, particularly blood pressure medicine. Diabetic medicine generally should not be taken that morning. There are a few medications that may conflict with your treatment. The CRNA will discuss this and more with you before infusion day.

You should bring a friend, family member or trusted person with you. They will need to take you home. They are welcome to stay with you for the entire infusion.

There is no need to disrobe. The infusion is done with your clothes on in a plush reclining chair.

A very small gauge IV is started, and the infusion will be started immediately.

Many patients like to bring a blanket, pillow, and headphones. We suggest calming, soft music without lyrics.

A Nationally Board-Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) carefully monitors you during your sessions to ensure your treatment is safe, comfortable, and effective.

Our CRNA will monitor your blood pressure, EKG, pulse oximetry, and CO2 throughout your infusion and recovery times.

Pain Infusions are one to four hours with a 30-to-60-minute recovery period. The amount given is higher than what mood disorder patients receive and can increase side effects such as dissociation. We use several adjuvants to decrease or eliminate the side effects associated with higher doses of ketamine.

Patients generally take 20-60 minutes of rest following the infusion before they feel comfortable leaving our clinic. There are no delayed “flashbacks,” and aside from being tired or fatigued, most feel much like themselves.

We require pain patients to be picked up inside our clinic by a responsible adult.

You will leave the clinic under your own power, and your trusted person will drive you home.

If the initial infusion series effectively reduces your pain and increases your functionality, we will offer you follow-up treatments as needed to treat your chronic pain.