Ketamine Offers Hope for Patients with Untreatable Chronic Pain

Ketamine infusions are being used as a last-resort treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a condition that causes severe, long-lasting pain. The therapy is gaining attention after studies showed it could relieve symptoms in over half of patients. CRPS often develops after an injury like a sprain, fracture, or minor surgery. It leads to intense pain, sensitivity, and difficulty with daily tasks. Doctors diagnose the condition by checking for symptoms such as skin colour changes, swelling, abnormal nail or hair growth, and limited movement.

Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors, which are thought to trigger extreme pain in CRPS sufferers. The treatment involves intravenous infusions lasting three to four hours a day, Monday to Friday, in an outpatient clinic. Patients remain drowsy but conscious during the procedure and can respond to stimuli. Most people notice pain relief immediately after the infusion. Around 50 to 60 percent of patients benefit, with effects lasting anywhere from one month to nearly a year. However, due to limited research and possible side effects, ketamine is only considered when other treatments fail.

The therapy offers hope for those struggling with CRPS, particularly when standard treatments have not worked. While results vary, many patients regain some quality of life after receiving ketamine infusions.