How can a cut with a few stitches become a permanent total disability? It does not happen often, but when it does, it can ruin a life. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is a serious, life-changing condition that can start with a simple injury. CRPS or RSD is a condition that causes continuous and intense pain that is usually in an arm or leg, hand or foot. When it begins in a hand or foot, it often spreads to the entire limb. The injury that starts CRPS is almost always considered minor when it happens. Doctors are not sure why CRPS develops.
The Clore Law Group in Charleston has helped workers who have CRPS obtain the benefits they need from South Carolina workers’ compensation. A CRPS victim, hypersensitive to even the slightest touch, explained to the workers’ comp judge: I can’t even have a sheet on me at night. I wake after three hours. All I can think is: Make the pain go away. His injury had not looked serious at first — then CRPS took over. He could no longer work, and he lived in pain.
Two Types of CRPS – Type I and Type II
- CRPS Type I (also referred to as RSD) – cases in which the nerve injury cannot be immediately identified
- CRPS Type II (also referred to as Causalgia) – cases in which a distinct “major” nerve injury has occurred
- CRPS is best described in terms of an injury to a nerve or soft tissue (e.g. broken bone) that does not follow the normal healing path
- CRPS development does not appear to depend on the magnitude of the injury. The sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury.
- Since there is no single laboratory test to diagnose CRPS, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination).
Criteria for Diagnosing CRPS
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (RSD)
- The presence of an initiating noxious event, or a cause of immobilization
- Continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia with which the pain is disproportionate to any inciting event
- Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of the pain
- This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (Causalgia)
- The presence of continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia after a nerve injury, not necessarily limited to the distribution of the injured nerve
- Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of pain
- This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction.
The Clore Law Group LLC has represented injured workers with CRPS claims. This Charleston personal injury law firm has an understanding of the devastating effects of CRPS and RSD, and is prepared to help. Call 843-722-8070 for a free case evaluation of workers’ compensate coverage of CRPS and RDS.
{ 1 trackback }