Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 11, 2010 under RSD | CRPS | 
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRP) is a progressive, chronic, painful condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops after an accident and/or surgery involving an injured body part (such as a broken arm) and causes severe pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the specific injury.
There are three stages of RSD. The first is called the acute stage which occurs in the first 3 months and may involve burning pain, swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, increased hair and nail growth in the affected region, joint pain, and color and temperature changes. The second stage is called dystrophic occurring in months 3-6. This stage may involve constant pain and swelling. The affected limb may feel cool to the touch and turn blue. Muscle stiffness, atrophy of the muscles, and early osteoporosis also may occur. The third stage is called atrophic, occurring after 6 months. In this stage, the skin may feel cold and look shiny, muscle stiffness and weakness increases. Also, symptoms may spread to another limb.
Motor, Nervous, and Immune Systems will be affected. Symptoms may worsen over time and may become disabling. The following are some of the symptoms of RSD:
- Burning pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Skin color changes
- Skin temperature changes
- Joint pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Frequent infections
- Difficulty starting movement
- Increased muscle tone, stiffness
- Muscle spasm
- Tremor
- Weakness
- Dermatitis
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Migraine headache
The proper diagnosis is often very hard to achieve unless an injured individual seeks medical treatment from a doctor experienced with RSD. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of RSD, notify your doctor and request a Three Phase Bone Scan, which can often help detect RSD.Oftentimes, a diagnosis of RSD is only rendered after other conditions that produce similar symptoms.
Although there is no known cure for RSD, the following treatments have proven effective in redcuing the symptoms of RSD:
- Physical Therapy
- Medication
- Nerve Block
- Psychotherapy
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
Like doctors, all injury attorneys are not created equal when it comes to handling an RSD injury. If you have been injured in an accident in Wisconsin and have developed symptoms of RSD, it is important to contact an experienced Wisconsin Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS Injury Attorney.
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Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 10, 2010 under General, Vestibular Disorder |
A vestibular is another name for inner ear balance. A healthy individual usually takes his sense of balance for granted. Most individuals do not find it hard to walk in sand, step onto the sidewalk from a grass area, or get up in the morning without stumbling.
Vestibular disorders are relatively common following trauma to the neck or head, including whiplash. Vestibular disorders can cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, problems with hearing, nausea, fatigue, concentration, anxiety, depression, headaches, slurred speech, trouble focusing, sensitivity to light, poor depth perception, and night blindness. Symptoms may become obvious days or weeks after the trauma has occurred; however, in many cases, symptoms take months to fully appear.
Doctors use the medical history and findings from a physical examination as a basis for ordering diagnostic tests to assess the function of the vestibular system and to rule out alternative causes of symptoms. These diagnostic tests are designed to evaluate the function and structure of the inner ear and/or brain, and they include hearing evaluations because the hearing and balance functions of the inner ear are closely related. A general physical examination of the ears, head, and neck should be done with special emphasis on tests of balance function. Additional testing is often recommended such as hearing tests,CT Scans, MRI scans, electronystagmography (ENG), and blood tests. In some situations, referral to an ear specialist (otolaryngologist) or neurologist may also be necessary.
Vestibular disorders can deeply affect an individuals daily functions, ability to work, social relationships, and quality of life. According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, the type and severity of symptoms can vary significantly. People with vestibular disorders may be perceived as inattentive, lazy, overly anxious, or seeking attention. They may have trouble reading or doing simple arithmetic. Functioning in the workplace, going to school, performing routine daily tasks, or just getting out of bed in the morning may be difficult.
The most common vestibular disorders due to trauma are Perilymph Fistula, Brain Injuries, and Benign Paraoxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of vestibular disorder due to trauma from a car accident or other form of accident, please contact an experienced Wisconsin Vestibular Disorder Attorney.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 9, 2010 under Spinal Cord Injury |
Each year, over 12,000 people in the United States sustain spinal cord injuries . In general, a spinal cord injury is trauma a trauma to the spinal cord that results in some loss of function. There are 3 general types of spinal cord injuries including paraplegia, quadriplegia, and paralysis. Currently, there are many advances and research that is occurring in the treatment and management of spinal cord injury.
Neurotechnology, the use of medical electronics to interact with the human nervous system, has made rapid advancements in recent history. Although severe spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, the muscle can contract when it is stimulated. For those with mobility impairments that do not have peripheral nerve damage, electrical stimulation can be utilized. A few advances that are currently available include the following:
1. Breathing and Cough Assistance
2. Hand Grasp and Rehabilitation of the Upper Extremities
3. Pain and Spasticity Management
4. Pressure Sore Prevention and Wound Therapy
5. Assisted Standing and Ambulation Systems
6. Exercise and rehabilitation Systems
For more information on these types of treatment see The National Spinal Cord Injury Association’s Website Fact Sheets.
The majority of spinal cord injuries are due to car accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents and pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to an accident, please contact an experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney. An experienced attorney can help you receive fair compensation for your injuries, current medical bills, needed rehabilitation, and loss of wages.
Anyone living with spinal cord injury as a result of a negligent act of another can participate in on-line discussions at a new website dedicated to advocacy on issues that affect people with spinal cord injury and disorders. The site, www.spinalcordadvocates.org, is a product of the unique collaboration between the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) and United Spinal Association, two of the nation’s leading nonprofit membership organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders.
Tags: bicycle accident and spinal cord injury, car accident and spinal cord injury, electrical stimulation for paralysis, electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury, paralysis, paraplegia, pedestrian accident and spinal cord injury, Spinal Cord Injury, spinal cord injury attorney, spinal cord injury treatments, spinal cord rehabilition, treatment of spinal cord injury
Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 6, 2010 under Car Accidents, Whiplash Neck Injury |
Whiplash is by far the most common injury resulting from car accidents. The following are the four common mistakes that could ruin or reduce the value of your whiplash neck injury claim.
1. Giving a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Adjuster
Insurance investigators and adjusters are directed to obtain recorded statements as soon as possible following car accidents. I have had clients that were called by insurance adjusters seeking a recorded statement before the injury victim had even been released from the emergency room. Insurance adjusters are also trained in taking recorded statements in a manner that reduces their “exposure,” i.e. the amount they will have to pay on a claim. SPEAK WITH A LAWYER BEFORE GIVING A RECORDED STATEMENT!
2. Not Seeking Medical Treatment Immediately Following the Accident
If you have suffered a whiplash injury, your injuries need to be documented. Oftentimes, people refuse transport at the scene because they are in shock or the rush of adrenaline prevents them from realizing the full extent of their pain. Then the next few days, they don’t leave their house because they are in so much pain. Then the pain gradually begins getting better so they “wait it out” and refuse to see a doctor. Soon it is 2 or 3 weeks post-accident and they realize the pain is not resolving on it’s own. At this point, an insurance carrier will generally deny or greatly reduce any future claim payout because it is too difficult for the injured party to convince a jury that the accident caused the injury. The insurance company may be right. If you are in pain following an accident, don’t “wait it out,” get to a doctor.
3. Not Properly Documenting Your Harms and Losses Due to the Accident
Injury victims are entitled to recover their medical bills, wage loss and pain and suffering. All of these different elements of damages can be properly documented but the average person may not have any idea how to document their losses. Advice from an experienced whiplash attorney can greatly increase the value of a case.
4. Not Hiring an Experienced Whiplash Attorney
Once you have been involved in an accident and suffered a whiplash injury you need to decide who you are going to ask to help you with your claim for compensation. You should read the small print of anyone who offers you help. Be sure to hire an experienced whiplash injury attorney to help you recover all of your harms and losses from the accident.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRP) is a progressive, chronic, painful condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops after an accident and/or surgery involving an injured body part (such as a broken arm) and causes severe pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the specific injury.
