Who is at Risk for CRPS?
Published: Mar 14, 2024
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk than others. Knowing these risk factors can help in early detection and prevention.
Contents
Demographic Risk Factors
CRPS is more common in women than men, with a higher incidence in postmenopausal women. This suggests hormonal factors might play a role in susceptibility.
Common Triggers
Injuries such as fractures, sprains, or surgeries are common triggers for CRPS. However, in about 10% of cases, no clear precipitating event is identified, making it a challenging condition to predict.

Controversial Factors
Psychological factors were once thought to increase CRPS risk, but recent studies have not consistently supported this. The relationship between psychological health and CRPS remains an area of ongoing research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Women, especially postmenopausal, are more frequently affected.
Common triggers include injuries and surgeries.
The link is controversial and not strongly supported by recent studies.
CRPS can occur without any clear trigger in some cases.
Next Steps
Understanding risk factors can aid in the early detection and management of CRPS.
References
- Sandroni P, Benrud-Larson LM, McClelland RL, Low PA. Complex regional pain syndrome type I: incidence and prevalence in Olmsted county, a population-based study. Pain 2003; 103:199.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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