RSD/CRPS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive bouts of sweating, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. There are 2 types of CRPS which are based on the etiology of the development of the disease. Type 1 involves the development of CRPS without a direct injury to the nerve while Type 2 (formerly known as “causalgia”) involves a direct nerve injury.

Type 1 injuries tend to occur more in situations where there was a car accident, a person has fallen, due to surgery or there is some type of trauma to a person’s body without direct nerve involvement. Under these circumstances nerve conduction studies tend to be normal although the signs and symptoms of CRPS are apparent.

Type 2 injures are characterized by objective evidence of nerve damage. These situations can be seen when injections are given into a person’s nerve, surgeon’s injure nerves during surgery, or there is some type of trauma that causes nerve damage. Damage to the nerve causes the body’s electrical system to misfire causing constant and chronic pain.

CRPS is extremely painful and can lead to permanent injuries. Timely diagnosis and treatment of CRPS is critical to receiving relief or recovery. If you or someone you know has signs or symptoms of CRPS they should notify their health care provider as soon as possible. Medical studies have shown there is a limited window of time for treatment before one loses their opportunity for cure. Medical providers should know the signs and symptoms of CRPS. The standard of care for when a medical provider suspects CRPS is to refer the patient for pain management, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and pain medications.

If you believe that you or someone you know has developed CRPS due to the negligence of another or you believe that this condition was not timely diagnosed or treated by a health care provider contact the DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Law Firm.