REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME (RSD/CRPS)

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). RSD/CRPS is a multi-symptom, multi-system, syndrome usually affecting one or more extremities, but may affect virtually any part of the body. Although it was clearly described 125 years ago by Drs. Mitchell, Moorehouse and Keen, RSD/CRPS remains poorly understood and is often unrecognized.

The best way to describe RSD/CRPS is in terms of an injury to a nerve or soft tissue (e.g. broken bone) that does not follow the normal healing path. The development of RSD/CRPS does not appear to depend on the magnitude of the injury (e.g. a sliver in the finger can trigger the disease). In fact, the injury may be so slight that the patient may not recall ever having received an injury. For reasons we do not understand, the sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury. There is no single laboratory test to diagnose RSD/CRPS. Therefore, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination), in order to support the diagnosis. There is a natural tendency to rush to the diagnosis of RSD/CRPS with minimal objective findings because early diagnosis is critical. If undiagnosed and untreated, RSD/CRPS can spread to all extremities, making the rehabilitation process a much more difficult one. If diagnosed early, physicians can use mobilization of the affected extremity (physical therapy) and sympathetic nerve blocks to cure or mitigate the disease. If untreated, RSD/CRPS can become extremely expensive due to permanent deformities and chronic pain. There are no studies showing that RSD/CRPS affects the patient’s life span. The potential exists for long-term financial consequences. At an advanced state of the illness, patients may have significant psychosocial and psychiatric problems, they may have dependency on narcotics and may be completely incapacitated by the disease. The treatment of patients with advanced RSD is a challenging and time-consuming task.

There are Two Types of CRPS - Type I and Type II.

Since there is no single laboratory test to diagnose RSD/CRPS, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination).

Many lawyers, in our experience, are too likely to treat an RSD client like they treat an auto whiplash client - there is very little objective injury, and the client is complaining of pain. Some of our clients have come to us after becoming dissatisfied with their lawyers' attempts to pressure them into settling for a small amount of money. What many lawyers do not realize is that RSD is much worse than a broken arm or leg. The majority of our RSD clients end up on permanent and total disability. The lifetime medical bills alone can be enormous. Most of our clients are financially devastated by the syndrome.

RSD syndrome can also be socially debilitating. Many of our clients find it hard to maintain a marriage, act as parents and to keep their friends while contending with severe chronic pain that many others have trouble understanding. At Sanders, Sanders, Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman we have tried to help RSD disease sufferers who do not want to take the risk of going to an attorney who does not understand how serious RSD is. Because we have had experience helping dozens of RSD sufferers, we understand the issues related to chronic pain in an individual's life. We are also familiar with the best ways to discuss that pain with insurance adjusters, defense lawyers and juries. Finally, the experience of our RSD lawyers experience helps in finding experts who are willing and able to give powerful testimony.

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For more information visit www.rsds.org