Wisconsin Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Attorney
While we have offices in Milwaukee and Madison, we handle reflex sympathetic dystrophy cases that happen throughout Wisconsin.
RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS
is condition that causes severe pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the specific injury. It is an extremely painful neurological condition that can effect ones skin, muscle, joints and bones. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS
usually follows some type of traumatic event to a part of the body. The trauma can be severe, such as a broken bone, however, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS
can also develop following instances of minor trauma.
Symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
Symptoms
of
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS
can include any of the following:
- burning pain
- increased skin sensitivity
- skin temperature changes
- skin color changes
- skin texture changes
- nail and hair growth changes
- stiffness and swelling in the affected joints
- decreased movement in the affected part of the body
Types of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
There are two types of
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS:
- CRPS I
– RSD or CRPS without an underlying injury to the nerve
- CRPS II
– RSD or CRPS with an underlying nerve injury
Stages of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
There are three stages of
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS:
Stage 1
– can last from 1-3 months. Most often the following
symptoms
are associated with Stage I
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS:
- intense burning pain
- muscle spasm
- joint stiffness
- rapid hair growth
- alterations in the blood vessels that can cause skin discoloration
- alterations in the blood vessels that can cause changes to skin temperature
Stage 2
– can last from 3-6 months. Most often the following symptoms are associated with Stage II Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS:
- increasingly intense pain
- swelling
- decreased hair growth
- cracked, brittle, grooved, or spotty nails
- softened bones
- stiff joints
- decreased muscle tone
Stage 3
– progression where the changes to the skin and/or bone are no longer reversible. Most often the following symptoms are associated with Stage III Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS:
- severe pain that becomes unbearable and may spread to the entire limb of the affected area
- muscle loss or atrophy
- severely limited mobility
- involuntary contractions of the muscles and tendons that flex the joints which may lead to contortion of the limbs
Diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
The proper diagnosis of
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS
can be a difficult ordeal for a physician not familiar with the condition. Generally, the diagnosis is made through the taking of an accurate history of the symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that many of the Symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS overlap with other medical conditions and possible even the original traumatic event.
There is no current objective diagnostic test that can confirm the diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS. A Three Phase Bone Scan
may assist in the diagnosis of the condition, however, researches have concluded that the scans may return normal results in up to 40% of people with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS. A Three Phase Bone Scan. Hopefully, with advances in medicine and technology, physicians will be able to affirmatively diagnose Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
– RSD
or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
– CRPS
in the near future.
Treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
There is no cure for
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS. A Three Phase Bone Scan. Several different types of treatment have proven effective in the treatment of the condition:
- Physical Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Sympathetic Nerve Block
- Medications
- Surgical Sympathectomy
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Intrathecal Drug Pumps
Contact an Experienced Wisconsin Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – RSD or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS Attorney
All too often people suffer from
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS
as a result of the carelessness of another. It is critical that these
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
a
victims have an attorney that understands
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
–
RSD
or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
–
CRPS
and the future costs associated with living with this often disabling condition.