HIf you live in the Bay Area and suffer from the chronic condition of CRPS or RSD, it may be in your best interest that you seek treatment from a medical facility that is staffed and trained at treating this incurable nervous system disorder. The pain caused by CRPS can be excruciating, and in most cases affects the day-to-day well-being of patients. Sadly, there is still very little known about this disorder, and as such general medical practitioners have a tendency to misdiagnose, and improperly treat this condition. Fortunately, victims who suffer from CRPS usually respond to treatment specifically designed to alleviate their pain, and as such victims should seek assistance from a medical facility that specializes in this form of treatment. In this article, we will cover what this neurological condition is, the damages it can cause, and some medical facilities in the Bay Area that specialize in treating it.
What Is CRPS?
Known to medical professionals and victims as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or by the alternative name, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), this mysterious disorder affects the immune response system of the body. While much is still unknown about CRPS and RSD, those who have studied the disorder have shown that the injury can be caused by trauma to the nerves. Originally thought to be exclusive to physical trauma, studies have shown that things like heart attack and stroke can cause the disorder as well. CRPS or RSD is often characterized as a reddening, warming, or swelling of the affected area. However, the symptoms can vary dramatically among victims. Some of the common symptoms victims experience are listed as follows:
- Chronic pain which has a burning sensation: This symptom is characterized as being far more significant than the original injury that caused the condition to begin with. It is often excruciatingly painful, and victims note that the afflicted area is sensitive to touch sound and temperature.
- Inflammation of the afflicted area: The area that is afflicted with CRPS often swells as a result. This inflammation is often characterized as a bruising, mottling, or reddening of the skin.
- Spasms: The damage to the nervous system results in muscle spasms, which can affect everyday mobility.
- Insomnia and other mood disorders: CRPS has also been shown to cause significant changes to the limbic system causing things like short-term memory loss, disruptions in sleep patterns, and mental confusion.
- Decreased mobility of affected area: Some patients have complained of being unable to effectively move the part of the body affected by this condition. This includes joint stiffness as well and can require extensive physical therapy to reach some form of recovery.
- Spreading: Sometimes, when left untreated, CRPS can spread from the originally affected area to other parts of the body, making the condition far more difficult to treat.
As mentioned prior, the symptoms CRPS victims experience can vary between patients, as can the symptoms’ severity. For this reason, it can be incredibly difficult to diagnose CRPS accurately. This misdiagnosis can worsen the situation, as studies have shown the sooner you can diagnose CRPS the more likely the patient will respond to treatment. Extensive study of the condition has also led to the discovery of two different forms of the condition. These two forms of CRPS are listed as follows:
- CRPS Form I: CRPS I is identified as a nerve disorder that occurs after a minor injury. This form of CRPS usually afflicts the arms or the legs, and are caused by injuries like a break or fracture, a puncture injury, infections, or a spinal cord injury. It is important to note that 90% of all CRPS cases are diagnosed as form I
- CRPS Form II: Injury often causes CRPS II to a specific nerve. This is the least common form of CRPS, taking up as little as 10% of all diagnosed CRPS cases.
Study of the condition has shown that the trauma affects the nerves in the affected area that are meant for blood vessel and sweat gland control. The damage to this nerve causes a loss of this control causing the characteristic symptoms this condition brings on. While studies show that those between ages 40 and 60 are more likely to be diagnosed with CRPS, this condition can afflict anyone at any age. While extensive studies have been made on CRPS, there is still no cure for it; however significant strides have been made in developing effective treatment. For this reason, if you suffer from CRPS, or believe you may have been afflicted with the condition, you should seek out medical treatment from a medical center in your area that is staffed by those who have experience in treating those who suffer from CRPS.
Medical Facilities that can take care of Complex Regional Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in the Bay Area.
If you live in the Bay Area and suffer from CRPS or RSD, you should seek treatment from a medical facility or neurological doctor in your area well-versed on the condition. Many who are diagnosed with CRPS often rely on treatment from their primary care physician; however, this treatment is often not designed to treat the CRPS condition specifically. For this reason, victims of CRPS, native of the Bay Area, should seek out medical treatment from some of the following medical facilities and specialized physicians:
- David King-Stephens, M.D.
- Gary A. Belaga, MD.
- Mc Cormack Bruce M MD
- Dr. Joy S. Meng, MD
- San Francisco Clinical Research: Goldstein Jerome MD
- Robert G. Miller, MD.
- Rachman Chung, DC, DACNB
- Marina Kasavin, M.D., PhD
- Nobi Barazangi, M.D., PhD
- Andrews Brian T, MD
- Headache Clinic-The East Bay
- Dr. Wei Wang, MD
- Charlene Chen, MD
- Neil Raskin, MD
- Carlos Quintana, MD
- UCSF Neurology Clinic
- Dr. Richard W. Price, MD
- Bay Area Neurocare
- Dr. Joey English
- UCSF Movement Disorder Clinic
- Elysa Marco, M.D.
- Bay Area Neurosciences
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center
- Selena Ellis, M.D.
- Estrin William J MD
- Ari Green, M.D.
- Dr. Gordon Tang, M.D
- Dr. Wei
- Dr. Ted J. Guarino, MD
- Peninsula Private Neurology INC
- Cokgor Ilkan MD
- Morris Levin, M.D.
- Maya Katz, M.D.
- Neurology Medical Group
- Jennifer L. Ault, D.O.
- Elliot Sherr, M.D.
- Dr. Marilyn M. Robertson
- Young and Mcquinn Mds
- The Neuroscience Institute at El Camino Hospital
- Dr. Thomas J. Mampalam, M.D.
- Associated Neurology Med Group
- Chein Chau-Chun MD
- Dr. Chi-Chen Mao, MD
- P. Suzanne Masaka, MD
- Dr. Billy Gao
- Dr. Peter Adamczyk
- Dr. Howard Belfer, MD
- East Bay Neurology
- Dr. Leslie A. Gillum, MD
- UCSF Brain and Spinal Injury
- UCSF Pediatric Neurology
- Dr. Bradley T. Wrubel, M.D.
- Ruby Ali, MD
- South Bay Neuro & Spine
- The University of California-Department in Neurology
- Brian C. Richardson, MD
- Max B Duncan, D.O.
- Tarun Arora, M.D.
- Neurology at Children’s Hospital Oakland
- Danville Chiropractic Neurology
- Adams Chiropractic Neurology Group
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital: Ho Jet K MD
- UCSF Pediatric Neurology at San Mateo
- Stanford Outpatient Rehabilitation
- Daniel Birnbaum, MD Neurologist
- San Jose Neurospine
- Zusman Edie E, MD
- Diagnostic Neurology Associates
- San Jose Pacific Neurology Center
- Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley
- East Bay Neurology: Wrubel Bradley T MD
- Center for Pain Management: Robertson Marylin MD
- Delta Neurology
- Fremont Neurology Medical Associates
- St. Helena Neurology
- Atherton Neurology
- Napa Valley Neurology
- Delta Medical Neurology
- Palo Alto Neurology
- Diablo Valley Child Neurology
- Ronald S Greenwald Inc.
These are just some of the specialists in the Bay Area that can treat your CRPS or RSD condition. There are much more not listed, and given the Bay Area’s large size and the population has some neurological specialists and medical facilities that could be helpful in obtaining treatment for your CRPS. As mentioned prior there is still no cure for this devastating nerve disorder, and as such receiving adequate and specialized treatment could be your only chance at recovering some form of day-to-day normalcy. If you are not located in the Bay Area, it is highly recommended that you seek medical assistance from a neurologist, muscle pain, or CRPS specialist practicing in your area. If your CRPS was caused by a physical injury inflicted by the negligent actions of another, you might want to seek legal consultation from a lawyer with experience in dealing with personal injury CRPS cases.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with CRPS, as a result of an injury or physical trauma caused by the negligence or misconduct of another you may be eligible to file a claim for monetary compensation for the damages that you have suffered. However, when moving forward with legal action, it is highly recommended that you see representation from a skilled attorney. At Normandie Law Firm, our injury attorneys experienced in cases regarding CRPS can guide you through the process of building your case, filing your claim, and reaching a satisfactory settlement for your case. While our law offices are based in Los Angeles, our attorneys can help those diagnosed with CRPS in cities like Fresno, Oakland, Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, and throughout the state of California.
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