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Occupational therapist investigates treatments for CRPS

Tuesday 9th December 2008

An occupational therapist is seeking to develop a new treatment for people who suffer from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

The condition, which usually affects the hands, feet, elbows or knees, causes pain and swelling.

It can start after an injury when the nerves have been damaged. Equally, it can develop with no cause.

Dr Jenny Lewis, who is based at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, believes that she can revolutionise the treatment of the condition and is set to conduct a study at McGill University in Canada, the Bath Chronicle reports.

She will investigate the phenomenon referred to as body perception disturbance, which sees patients often unable to engage with the painful limb.

Using magnetic resonance imaging to explore possible changes in the region of the brain responsible for touch sensation, the therapist hopes to gain evidence of changes in the way that the brain represents the limb where the pain is experienced.

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