CRPS Treatment in Westminster, CO

Physician-Led CRPS Care Serving Westminster and North Denver

At Vitalitas, we understand how complex regional pain syndrome can affect movement, sleep, work, physical comfort, and everyday activities. At our Westminster clinic at 12110 North Pecos St, Suite 160, Westminster, CO 80234, we review your pain history, symptoms, medications, previous treatment, health history, safety factors, and goals before determining whether IV ketamine therapy may be appropriate for your care.

When CRPS Causes Persistent and Disproportionate Pain

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that most often affects an arm, leg, hand, or foot. It may develop after an injury, surgery, or other physical trauma, and the pain can be prolonged or more severe than would normally be expected from the original injury.

CRPS symptoms may include:

• Persistent burning or severe regional pain

• Increased sensitivity to touch or pressure

• Pain from normally nonpainful contact, known as allodynia

• Swelling in the affected area

• Changes in skin temperature or color

• Changes in sweating

• Weakness or reduced range of motion

• Changes affecting the skin, hair, or nails

CRPS does not look exactly the same in every patient. Symptoms can change over time and may affect mobility, sleep, physical function, and participation in everyday activities.

CRPS type I was previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). CRPS type II involves a confirmed nerve injury. Because CRPS can be complex to diagnose and manage, treatment often involves multiple approaches based on the individual patient.

When persistent CRPS pain remains difficult to manage despite previous care, another treatment approach may be worth considering.

IV Ketamine Therapy for CRPS

At Vitalitas, we provide physician-led IV ketamine therapy for selected patients with CRPS.

Ketamine is FDA-approved as a general anesthetic. Its use for CRPS and other chronic pain conditions is off-label, meaning ketamine has not been FDA-approved specifically to treat complex regional pain syndrome. The FDA provides additional context on the current use of ketamine in emerging areas of therapeutic interest.

Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that affects glutamate signaling involved in pain processing. Researchers have studied whether these effects may be relevant when CRPS involves persistent pain and increased nervous system sensitivity.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis included 23 randomized controlled trials of pharmacologic treatments for CRPS, including two ketamine trials. The analysis found low-certainty evidence that IV ketamine was associated with reduced pain beyond one month compared with placebo. Ketamine was also associated with more adverse effects.

We approach ketamine accordingly. IV ketamine is not a cure for CRPS, and it does not replace physical rehabilitation, pain-specialty care, medications, or other treatment when those approaches remain appropriate. Instead, ketamine may be considered as an additional off-label option for selected patients after careful evaluation.

Learn more about our broader approach to ketamine therapy for CRPS.

Careful Screening and Physician-Led CRPS Treatment

CRPS symptoms and treatment histories vary widely, so having a CRPS diagnosis does not automatically mean ketamine therapy is appropriate.

Before recommending IV ketamine therapy, we consider your:

• CRPS symptoms and how they affect daily life

• Pain history and duration

• Medical history and current medications

• Previous pain treatments

• Clinical stability and safety factors

• Treatment goals and expectations

• Ability to receive outpatient ketamine treatment safely

If IV ketamine treatment moves forward, our care model includes:

• Individualized planning based on your symptoms, history, previous care, and clinical needs

• Physician oversight throughout treatment

• Clinical monitoring of heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen level, and how you are feeling during the infusion

• Follow-up to review your response and guide future treatment decisions

• Care coordination with the clinician managing your chronic pain or other ongoing care when appropriate

Not everyone with CRPS will be a candidate for ketamine therapy. We believe careful screening, clear recommendations, and realistic expectations are essential parts of responsible chronic pain care.