Have you been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome due to trauma or an accident?
We have personal injury lawyers who specialize in compensation claims for complex regional pain syndrome caused by:
- auto accidents
- medical malpractice
- occupational injuries
- other traumatic accidents or where negligence is involved.
We can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for obligation-free legal advice.
Our personal injury lawyers are highly experienced in handling compensation claims for pain syndromes.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) consists of a number of symptoms and signs in limbs, which usually follow traumatic injuries.
There are two types of complex regional pain syndrome:
• CRPS I – without nerve injury.
• CRPS II – with nerve injury.
What kind of trauma can cause CRPS?
Trauma examples include: Accidental sprains, minor cuts, contusions, dislocations, fractures, crush injuries, traumatic amputation, burns.
Surgical injuries: Tight plaster casts; tissue or nerve damage from any procedure.
Occupational injuries: Repetitive strain injury such as pneumatic tool operators, typists etc.
How is complex regional pain syndrome diagnosed?
In general, CRPS conditions are manifested by a triad of:
• Pain- The pain is usually diffuse; unlike neuralgia, it does not have a segmental or
peripheral nerve distribution. The pain is continuing and disproportionate to the inciting event. Hyperaesthesia).
• Vasomotor disturbances- asymmetry in skin temperature and/ or color and/or skin color changes. Sudomotor: oedema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating asymmetry. The skin color can be red, cyanosed, pale or mottled in appearance. The limb may be hot or cold, possibly swollen.
• Motor/Trophic changes- decreased range of motion and/ or motor dysfunction and/or trophic changes. Trophic changes present as abnormal hair and nail growth, fibrosis, thin glossy skin and osteoporosis. The motor changes can be secondary to disuse atrophy or trophic changes to tendons and muscles. These result in a limb which is weak, restricted in range of movement and has impaired co-ordination.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1
CRPS Type I is frequently misdiagnosed since symptoms and signs can appear unrelated
to any precipitating cause or event. The physician may fail to recognise an organic basis and attribute them to psychogenic/psychiatric factors. There may be case for medical malpractice if the condition is misdiagnosed and allowed to progress from a potnetialyl reversible to an irreversible condition resulting in permanent disability.
In CRPS Type I, the pain tends to be increased when the limb is dependent.
CRPS Type 1 is commonly wrongly labelled as a psychiatric somatoform disorder.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 2
The diagnosis of CRPS Type II is usually an easier one to make. The initiating mechanism is related to obvious nerve injury and the resultant syndrome (particularly the burning pain) is characteristic. The most commonly affected nerves are the median and sciatic nerves.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treatment
Once diagnosis is made, treatment should be instigated immediately and should comprise interdisciplinary management including pain management, medication, physiotherapy, counseling. Physiotherapy exercises can help prevent disuse atrophy and promote functional recovery.
Treatment options include: neuropathic drugs, sympathetic blockade (Stellate ganglion block; Lumbar sympathectomy), steroids and anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, occupational therapy.
Contact a Lawyer
If you would like to find out more information about your legal rights to compensation for complex regional pain syndrome that is the result of a traumatic accident or occupational / work-related injury, then contact us today to speak to a personal injury lawyer who is an expert in the area of CRPS, chronic pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain.
This is a free service.
|
