23/10/2026
Myth-busting: “There’s a simple test that proves CRPS.”
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can be frightening, especially when pain feels far worse than the original injury. It is natural to hope there’s one clear test that can give a definite yes or no.
In reality, CRPS is a clinical diagnosis. That means it is recognised from the pattern of:
• Pain that is far out of proportion to the original injury and lasts much longer than expected
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, where even clothing, water or a breeze can be very painful
• Changes in colour, temperature or swelling in the limb compared with the other side
• Shifts in skin, hair and nail growth over the area
• Stiffness, weakness and avoiding using the limb
Scans or other tests may still be useful, but mainly to rule out other causes rather than to “prove” CRPS.
Because CRPS often responds better when it is spotted and managed early, unusual, severe or spreading pain after an injury is usually worth getting checked by a clinician.
Find out more about CRPS and pain management at Bridge House Clinic: https://bridgehouse-clinic.co.uk