Complex regional pain syndrome is more aptly named than many conditions. It can be very complex, and it does center around pain, which can be chronic and extreme in some cases, leading patients to be debilitated after what may have been a minor injury or procedure; in fact, car accidents are a common type of trauma that can lead to Type 1 CRPS. Symptoms usually arrive out of the blue and surprise patients who thought that they had healed from a fracture or a sprain yet suddenly are forced to deal with pain and complications in the area of the limb previously affected.

Type 2 CRPS is usually caused by direct injury to a nerve, and even minor medical procedures such as shots or blood draws have been known to bring it on. Symptoms may begin with discomfort in the skin. It may be extremely sensitive to the touch, as well as discolored (whether red, pinkish, or even with tinges of blue) or glossy in appearance and swollen. Tingling sensations are common symptoms, along with shooting pains in the affected limb. While the onset may have been caused by something seemingly minor, CRPS can develop into a nightmarish and long-term condition that is both chronic and progressive. Pain may be so bad that patients become afraid to move around, causing a vicious cycle with muscle atrophy.

Joint pain and painful muscle spasms may affect the patient, along with dystonia—a condition affecting fingers and toes that become fixed in a twisted or abnormal position, causing even more discomfort and self-consciousness in terms of walking and getting around or going out in public. CRPS can be hard to diagnose though as there is no specific test for this rare condition affecting only 200,000 individuals in the US. Once other diseases such as Lyme disease have been ruled out, doctors are able to confirm whether a patient is suffering from CRPS or not.

Early treatment is recommended for a better outcome, and physical therapy may play a major role in recovery too, along with more alternative applications. Effective medications for CRPS vary from mild over-the-counter pain relievers to more serious treatments like anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioids, and more.

Were you in an accident due to the negligence of others that triggered CRPS? If so, please call Heintz Law today to consult with a skilled CRPS lawyer. Our attorneys have helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help, and if you cannot come to us, we will come to you.

All blogs are written on behalf of Heintz Law for informational purposes. These articles should not, however, be considered legal advice, or in any way responsible for creating an attorney/client relationship.