Complex regional pain syndrome is a common and unfortunate complication that can develop after a traumatic injury. Many of the cases we handle as a personal injury law firm involve car accidents or fall incidents due to hazardous conditions on the property.
The condition has to do with persistent and chronic pain of the area in and around the injury site. Usually, people have CRPS in the arm or leg, but it can also affect the ankle if you experienced an ankle fracture or crushed ankle.
As someone who was injured by negligence or misconduct, it’s important to speak to an attorney with experience in chronic pain that develops from an ankle fracture. Our law firm is open to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call us today and schedule a free consultation.
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Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
As the name implies, pain is the primary symptom that makes CPRS so difficult to live with. Alternatively, you may be diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RDS, which is a form of CRPS that does not involve nerve damage.
The pain is chronic and does not get better, even with various treatments. For some people, the pain is severe, and may feel like a squeezing or burning sensation. The entire limb may be affected, even beyond the site of the injury. In some cases, the pain can move to the opposite limb – the one that was not injured to begin with. Based on the degree of pain, even a light brush or touch may cause agonizing pain. Other symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:
- Temperature changes in the limb
- Color changes in the skin
- Changes in skin texture
- Swelling
- Stiffening of the joint
- Abnormal sweating
- Reduced range of motion
- Jerking or tremors in the limb
- Abnormal nail and hair growth
Causes of CRPS
It’s important to note that CRPS does not develop in everyone who has suffered an injury, and there’s no definitive answer on why the illness affects some people and not others. We can say for sure that over 90% of the people who are diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome have an injury to the affected limb or a nearby area, for example, CPRS in the leg that resulted from an ankle fracture.
Fractures, sprains, and soft tissue injuries are the most common source of complex regional pain syndrome. Some people can also end up with chronic pain after a surgery, like an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).
It’s believed that CRPS is caused by malfunctions in the peripheral nerves, which send pain signals to the brain. As a result, the nerve fibers release substances into the blood vessels that cause inflammation and associated symptoms, like swelling and skin color changes. Another possibility is that the blood vessels are constricted, and this make the skin feel cold and have a bluish appearance.
Diagnosing CPRS
A diagnose of CRPS is based primarily on reported symptoms by the patient, as it’s not an injury that can be detected through blood tests and imaging scans. Along with the symptoms, doctors must also consider the patient’s medical history and previous injuries in and around the area where the pain is occurring. One test that may be used is a triple bone scan, which allows the doctor to look for excessive bone resorption – a side effect that’s common among CRPS patients. This condition causes the bone cells to break down, and as a result, there is a release of calcium into the bloodstream.
Treating CRPS and Managing the Pain
CRPS is a notoriously difficult illness to treat, and patients may need multiple therapies, medications, and other forms of medical intervention that changes over time. Occupational therapy may be needed at some point if the patient has to find new ways to perform daily tasks because of the pain and limited mobility. Treatments for complex regional pain syndrome may include, but are not limited to:
- Ibuprofen or another type of NSAID medication
- Corticosteroid to treat inflammation and swelling
- Anti-seizure medications that are effective in relieving pain
- Botulinum toxin infections
- Topical creams
- Calcitonin if the pain is deep in the bones
- Ketamine or dextromethorphan
- Psychotropic meds for mental health issues, like depression and anxiety
Filing a Claim within the Statute of Limitations
In spite of having a solid case that’s based on evidence and clear negligence by the other party, you must ensure that a compensation claim is filed by the statute of limitations. The court system in California provides accident victims with 2 year to file a personal injury claim. After this window of time, you are prohibited from suing the defendant, except in rare and unusual circumstances.
In case you have been injured on government property or by an employee / independent contractor hired by a public entity, you must file an injury claim within 6 months. This is a challenging deadline to meet when you are trying to prove a case for monetary damages. That’s why help from a lawyer that specializes in complex regional pain syndrome is highly recommended, right from the start.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
When you are injured in an accident, you look forward to the day when your injury is healed and you can move forward with your life. Unfortunately, this is a lot harder to do when you continue to experience pain and other debilitating symptoms that are indicative of CRPS.
By contacting our law firm, you can talk to one of our attorneys about an ankle fracture causing CRPS lawsuit. If you decide that going through with an injury claim is right for you, we will take care of filing a liability claim, finding evidence of negligence, fighting for the highest possible settlement, and trying your case in court, if necessary. In essence, we will handle the entire process on your behalf so that you can focus on your physical and mental recovery.
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Our clients receive the Zero Fee Guarantee from day one, so there is no need to pay upfront if you are interested in hiring us. We cover the costs associated with your lawsuit from day one, and ask the defendant to cover our expenses, along with the damages you are owed. For us, winning your case is the only way to get paid, and you are not responsible for any legal fees if we do not recover your settlement.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What is the Difference between CRPS and RSD – Normandie
Forearm Fracture Resulting in Permanent Nerve Damage or CRPS
Electrocution and Wrongful Death and Electrical Shock at Work Causing CRPS
