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Jacksonville, Florida
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
What is it?
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is a chronic pain condition. It is common for RSD to cause disproportionate pain relative to the injury, which can continue to worsen over time rather than get better. Patients frequently report severe burning pain even with the slightest touch to the skin on the affected part of the body. RSD is mostly seen in women, however, recent reports show that the number of cases in adolescents and young adults is increasing. RSD usually occurs in a person’s appendages (arms and legs) and can spread if the case is severe enough.
Causes
In many cases the cause of RSD is not known. Some injuries that have been blamed for causing RSD are: trauma, surgery, infection, radiation therapy, cerebral lesions, repetitive motion disorder (ex. carpal tunnel syndrome), pressure on a nerve, etc. Reactions to drugs that are not properly injected can also cause RSD.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include burning pain, excessive sweating, changes in the bone and skin, heightened sensitivity to touch and temperature, and tissue swelling. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the stages of RSD are categorized as acute, dystrophic, and atrophic.
- Acute [Stage I]
Stage I may last up to three months. During this stage, the symptoms include pain and swelling, increased warmth in the affected part/limb, and excessive sweating. There may be faster-than-normal nail and hair growth. Joint pain may be felt during movement of the affected area. - Dystrophic [Stage II]
Stage II can last three months to 12 months. Swelling is more constant. Skin wrinkles disappear. The temperature of the skin becomes cooler. Fingernails become brittle. Pain is more widespread, stiffness increases, and the affected area becomes sensitive to touch. - Atrophic [Stage III]
Stage III occurs from one year on. The skin of the affected area is now pale, dry, tightly stretched, and shiny. The area is stiff, pain may decrease, and there is less hope of getting motion back.
---American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Not all physicians, however, agree that the disease can be staged and symptoms among patients frequently vary.
Treatment
There are no known cures for RSD currently. Doctors usually aim at relieving the pain caused by RSD through pain medications, sympathetic nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation. Physical therapy has also been used to reduce the pain associated with RSD and to maintain flexibility in the limbs and joints. In some people, however, physical therapy has made RSD symptoms worse.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Settlements: $950,000.00 |
Seeking legal counsel?
As you can see from our list of verdicts and settlements, we have handled many cases where injury, trauma or improper use of medications has caused RSD. If you suffer from this extremely debilitating disease and believe it was caused by the negligence of someone else, you should contact legal counsel experienced with these cases. For more information on RSD, please visit the website of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association.
http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/index.shtml
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/
reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm#Is_there_any_treatment
http://www.medicinenet.com/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy_syndrome/article.htm
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00021#Treatment
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