Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a very painful condition that an individual can develop after suffering a traumatic injury, such as an injury caused by a motor vehicle crash, a slip or trip and fall or other accident, or after undergoing surgery. For many people CRPS is one of the most unbearable medical conditions they will ever experience, and it wreaks havoc on their daily life. CRPS is a chronic condition (meaning long lasting) that usually affects a person’s arm, hand, leg, or foot. To make matters worse, CRPS not only causes great pain and discomfort, but it is also frequently misunderstood even by some medical professionals who fail to diagnose CRPS. At Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A., our Complex Regional Pain Syndrome attorneys in Florida have decades of experience representing clients who suffer from CRPS. We understand the difficulties and everyday hardships that our clients are forced to deal with when they are suffering from CRPS.

If you were involved in a motor vehicle crash, a slip or trip and fall incident, or other accident and believe you are now suffering with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, contact our office today for a free consultation. We are located in Coral Springs, in Broward County, and we represent individuals who have been injured anywhere in the state of Florida. You do not even have to come into the office to speak with an attorney. We can discuss your case with you over the telephone or via video conference, and we can send you sign-up documents via e-mail.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Symptoms

CRPS is characterized by prolonged and severe pain, usually lasting longer than six months, in an arm, hand, leg, or foot. In many instances, CRPS can be a truly debilitating ailment that negatively impacts your social and family life, your job, and other everyday experiences. In some cases, the pain is all-consuming, making it difficult for a person to continue with even simple routine activities without experiencing immense pain.

Some common physical symptoms of CRPS include:

• Severe and constant pain in a limb that is often described as a feeling of pins and needles or a burning sensation
• Extreme sensitivity to touch in the affected area
• Changes in skin color, texture, or temperature in the injured limb
• Decreased mobility or stiffness in the affected limb
• Swelling in affected areas

Generally, CRPS only affects one limb. But in some instances, CRPS can spread from one limb to another, though there is no clear pattern as to when and under what circumstances CRPS might spread to another limb.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Types

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is divided into two types: CRPS Type 1 and CRPS Type 2.

• CRPS Type 1: This is diagnosed where there is no clear evidence of nerve damage in the affected area. Although CRPS Type 1 in many cases occurs after trauma, the traumatic event did not cause any direct damage to the nerves in the injured limb. CRPS Type 1 can be caused by major or minor trauma. Type 1 accounts for about 90% of CRPS cases. CRPS Type 1 was previously referred to by medical professionals as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS).
• CRPS Type 2: This is diagnosed where there is evidence of distinct nerve damage in the affected limb. Like CRPS Type 1, CRPS Type 2 may occur after major or minor trauma. Until recently, CRPS Type 2 was known as Causalgia.

If you or someone you love may be suffering with CRPS that developed after an injury, contact our Florida Complex Regional Pain Syndrome lawyers today to discuss your legal options.

Causes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

The exact cause of CRPS is unknown. But the vast majority of CRPS cases can be traced back to some type of injury. In fact, approximately 90% of CRPS cases develop after a person suffers a traumatic injury (though as noted, this trauma could be major or very minor). A person can develop CRPS after having a broken or fractured bone, sprain or strain of a muscle, skin burn, or other injury, including even minor injuries like bruises or cuts.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, many medical experts believe that CRPS is caused when a person’s peripheral and central nervous systems are damaged or malfunction. As a result of the nerve abnormalities, a person’s body may react differently to an injury than would a body that does not have the nerve abnormality, causing substantially increased pain to develop after the injury.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Treatment

A variety of treatments are used for treating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The following are a few of the most common CRPS treatments:

• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Exercise programs to keep the affected limb in motion have the effect of improving blood flow and lessening one’s symptoms. Exercises can help improve the affected limb’s flexibility and strength. Some doctors also recommend treatments such as heat therapy and spinal cord stimulation.
• Medications: Doctors prescribe a variety of medications to treat CRPS, including pain relievers, corticosteroids, nerve block injections, botulinum toxin (botox) injections, anesthetics like ketamine, and topical anesthetic creams.

How A Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyer Can Help You

Our Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Lawyers in Florida have represented numerous clients who have suffered with CRPS. Regrettably, we have learned through experience that it is not uncommon for health care professionals to misdiagnose, or more likely fail to diagnose, CRPS. Due to these errors, many patients do not receive the medical care they need after an injury.

When a doctor fails to diagnose CRPS, the doctor typically will neglect to order the appropriate treatment to alleviate a patient’s ongoing and severe pain. In addition to not ordering the best course of treatment for a patient, the doctor’s failure to diagnose CRPS also can cause problems for the patient’s injury case. For example, if a person is suffering with CRPS but the doctor neglectfully fails to diagnose CRPS, it may be difficult to explain to an insurance adjuster or even a jury how a person is suffering excruciating pain after experiencing only a minor soft tissue injury.

At Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A., we have worked with many health care professionals who have extensive experience diagnosing and treating CRPS. If we take on your case, we will ensure that you have access to qualified and knowledgeable medical professionals who are able to properly provide you with the treatment you need for your injuries.

If you were involved in a motor vehicle crash, a slip or trip and fall incident, or some other type of accident and believe you are suffering with CRPS, contact our office today. We have handled many cases where our clients were suffering with CRPS, and we understand the pain and trouble you are going through.

Contact our Florida Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation.

Call us now toll-free at (954) 833-1440 for a free consultation. We can speak with you over the phone, so you do not even have to come into our office to discuss your situation during these difficult times.