CRPS Treatment

IV ketamine for CRPS is administered off-label — ketamine itself is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, but not specifically for CRPS. It is, however, the chronic pain indication with the strongest clinical evidence base for ketamine, and it has been formally recognized in joint consensus guidelines issued by the ASRA, AAPM, and ASA at a Grade B evidence level. The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) has also published guidelines acknowledging its use. At Revitalized Clinic, we will walk you through the evidence honestly at your free consultation.

The two placebo-controlled RCTs available — the Schwartzman and Sigtermans protocols — documented analgesic superiority over placebo for up to 11 to 12 weeks following treatment. Duration varies by individual, infusion protocol, and disease chronicity. Higher total doses and longer infusion durations have been associated with more prolonged pain relief in published literature. Our team designs your maintenance schedule based on your documented clinical response.

Possibly. One of the clinically important findings in published CRPS ketamine research is that duration of disease does not appear to consistently predict treatment response — meaning ketamine may remain a viable option even for patients with highly chronic, longstanding CRPS, according to the 2023 Stanford Anesthesiology Clinics review. This is a meaningful distinction from some other CRPS interventions that show diminishing returns with disease chronicity. Our team will assess your specific situation at your consultation.

When administered in a medically supervised clinical setting at therapeutic subanesthetic doses, the risk of ketamine dependence is very low. Revitalized Clinic closely monitors dosing, frequency, and total exposure to ensure safe, appropriate, and evidence-aligned use. This is categorically different from recreational or unsupervised ketamine use, which carries substantially higher risk.

Yes — this is one of the most clinically relevant advantages of ketamine for CRPS patients. Research consistently shows that ketamine produces simultaneous benefits across pain and mood domains. For CRPS patients who have developed secondary depression, anxiety, or PTSD as a result of living with severe chronic pain — which is extremely common — ketamine may offer meaningful improvement across all of these dimensions within the same treatment course.

IV ketamine infusions for CRPS are currently self-pay at Revitalized Clinic. Some major insurers — including Aetna — classify IV ketamine for CRPS as investigational in their coverage policies. We encourage patients to contact their insurer directly to inquire about possible reimbursement through a superbill. Our team is glad to discuss all payment options at your free consultation.

Revitalized Clinic is among a very small number of clinics in the Northern Arizona region offering medically supervised IV ketamine infusion therapy for CRPS and other chronic pain conditions. Patients from Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, Sedona, and across Coconino County travel to us specifically because advanced chronic pain options in this region are limited. If you have been told you have exhausted your options, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our team.