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Straight
Track #240
| Complex Regional Pain
Syndrome
Craig W. Church, Attorney
Hoey & Farina
church@hoeyfairna.com
1-888-425-1212 |
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known a
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a complicated medical condition
which frequently is not diagnosed and treated properly. This article is
intended to provide basic information as to what CRPS is, and what some
of the treatment options are.
What is CRPS?
CRPS is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized
by:
1. Severe burning pain
2. Bone and skin changes
3. Swelling
4. Extreme sensitivity to touch
Usually, CRPS starts with trauma to an extremity. For
example, the patient may sustain a fall injury directly on the foot, or
crush injury to the hand. Pain continues and is far greater than
anticipated given the traumatic event. A telltale characteristic of CRPS
is extreme sensitivity to the slightest touch. Other evidence of CRPS
can be swelling, redness, skin color and skin temperature changes.
Diagnosing CRPS
There is no single laboratory test to diagnose CRPS. The
diagnosis should be considered by a qualified medical professional when
an injury does not heal as expected. Assessment should be made to
determine whether major nerve injury occurred. However, CRPS may exist
when there is no nerve injury immediately identified.
Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment. CRPS
needs to be evaluated by a neurologist, anesthesiologist,
rheumatologist, or physical medicine and rehab doctor. It is important
that you provide the physician with all of your medical records so that
they can document medical history, subjective complaints and objective
findings on physical examination. A regional nerve block which
temporarily eliminates pain may suggest the possibility of CRPS. Several
conditions need to be considered and ruled out by medical professionals
as other possible causes for continued symptoms.
Treatment Options
When CRPS is diagnosed, proper treatment requires a team
approach. A doctor who has extensive knowledge treating CRPS should
coordinate medical intervention. Treatment may include nerve blocks,
medications and physical therapy to reduce pain and increase functional
abilities. Consideration may be given to implanting a device in the
spinal cord if more conservative measures fail. Electrical signals are
sent through the implanted device to block pain.
Patients with CRPS commonly suffer from depression and
anxiety. Therefore, it is helpful to include psychological counseling in
the treatment plan. Psychological counseling can be crucial for patients
who are experiencing the frustration of persistent symptoms despite
extensive medical treatment. Counseling may also be beneficial in
helping patients cope with decreased self-esteem they experience with
job loss and inability to function effectively.
In summary, CRPS is a poorly understood, complicated
medical diagnosis. CRPS should be adequately evaluated by qualified
medical practitioners in instances where CRPS symptoms are present and
pain persists without explanation.
If you have suffered an injury and believe you are
experiencing CRPS, please contact us at 888-425-1212.
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