PIP for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - How to Claim

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) causes burning pain, swelling, sensitivity to touch, and movement difficulties that are often completely disproportionate to the original injury. A minor fracture or sprain develops into a condition where the affected limb becomes unusable. CRPS is poorly understood by many assessors, which means your PIP form and evidence need to be exceptionally clear.

Why CRPS Is Difficult for PIP

Assessors may look at you and see no visible disability. Your X-rays are normal. Your blood tests are normal. Yet the pain is so severe that even air moving across your skin causes agony. This invisibility means you must be extremely detailed in describing your symptoms and their impact on daily activities.

Which Activities Does CRPS Affect?

If CRPS is in your hand/arm:

Preparing Food (Activity 1) - Cannot grip knives, pans, or utensils with the affected hand. Even the vibration from chopping sends pain through the arm. Cannot tolerate water on the affected area for washing up. Light touch triggers severe pain, making any manual task impossible.

Washing and Bathing (Activity 4) - Water temperature changes cause excruciating pain. Cannot wash hair with one hand. Drying off with a towel is agonising on the affected limb. Need help washing the unaffected side because the affected hand can't hold a sponge.

Dressing (Activity 6) - Fabric touching the affected area causes pain. Buttons and zips impossible with one working hand. Cannot tolerate sleeves, watches, or jewellery on the affected arm.

If CRPS is in your foot/leg:

Moving Around (Activity 12) - Walking causes severe pain with every step. Weight-bearing on the affected foot may be impossible. Even the pressure of a bedsheet on the foot causes pain. Walking distance severely limited - often under 20 metres.

Washing and Bathing (Activity 4) - Standing in the shower on the affected foot. Getting in and out of the bath. Water on the affected area.

For all CRPS:

Managing Therapy (Activity 3) - CRPS requires intensive, ongoing treatment: strong pain medication (often opioids, gabapentin, ketamine), physiotherapy, desensitisation exercises, pain clinic appointments, psychological support, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulator management if fitted. Weekly therapy time is typically very high.

Engaging with People (Activity 9) - Chronic severe pain causes depression, anxiety, irritability, and complete social withdrawal. Many people with CRPS become housebound.

What Evidence Helps?

• Pain consultant letters with Budapest criteria diagnosis
• Photographs showing colour changes, swelling, skin changes
• Physiotherapist reports
• Psychology or psychiatry letters about mental health impact
• Medication list (the complexity itself demonstrates severity)
• Partner or carer statement