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Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Winning Your Legal Case
Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Winning Your Legal Case

Imagine this: You stub your toe. Or maybe you’re rear-ended in a car accident and you tweak your back. Ouch! The pain hurts, but—just like any other time you’ve injured yourself—you expect the pain to go away. But what if it didn’t? What if the pain got worse, spreading to your foot and even your leg? That’s essentially what happens for those with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

CRPS is a tricky condition. Some researchers have suggested that CRPS may be one of the worst chronic pain conditions a person can experience. It typically starts after trauma/an injury (Ex: dog bite, car or motorcycle accident, fall, workplace injury, etc.) but the pain goes wild. The pain lasts way longer than it should and can even get stronger over time. CRPS is a rare but serious condition, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with it as it’s often mistreated/misdiagnosed. In fact, a study on 134 CRPS patients found that patients had seen on average 4.8 different doctors before being referred to a pain center and had received an average of 5 different kinds of treatments prior to and during pain clinic treatment.

At Charles Boyk Law, we know how difficult conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can be, and we understand how to convey the level of pain and suffering that our clients are going through. With our deep knowledge and careful approach, we’ve helped many clients who are dealing with this painful condition get positive results after being involved in an accident or experiencing other types of trauma.

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that often begins after an injury, like a sprain, fracture, or even surgery. The pain caused by CRPS is much worse than it should be for the kind of injury that happened, and it doesn’t go away. In some cases, the pain spreads to other parts of the body, and it can affect how the body functions, like causing changes in the skin’s color and temperature. These signs can be subtle or obvious, depending on the severity of the CRPS.

CRPS can be divided into two main categories:

Type 1

This is the most common type. It develops after an injury, but there’s no evidence of any damage to the nerves. For example, car accidents, construction accidents, falls, etc. can lead to sprains, strains, or fractures that don’t present any indication of nerve damage.

Type 2

This type occurs when the injury clearly damages the nerves. For example, some severe dog bites may present obvious damage to the area’s nerves. In this case, there’s more than one kind of nerve damage that can occur as a result. For example, nerves closest to the injury site might be shredded, while nerves farther away may only be compressed. These injuries are complex in their own way and require the skill of a knowledgeable medical professional, but they also have the potential of being a form of CRPS.

Both types of CRPS have similar symptoms, but a key difference is the presence of nerve damage. Doctors can usually identify nerve damage in Type 2, while it’s absent in Type 1. Essentially, both types can arise after an injury, but the main distinction lies in whether or not the nerves were directly damaged.

What Causes CRPS?

The exact cause of CRPS is not well understood, but experts think it has something to do with how the body’s nervous system reacts after an injury. Here’s a basic overview of how the different parts of the nervous system are involved:

  • Nerve Problems: When you injure yourself, your nerves send signals to the brain to alert you to the injury. But in CRPS, the nerves might send exaggerated pain signals to the brain, even after the injury has healed.
  • Brain and Spinal Cord: Sometimes, the brain gets “confused” and continues to send pain signals to the injured area, even though there’s no real damage anymore. This is called central sensitization, and it can make the pain feel much worse.
  • Autonomic Nervous System: This part of the nervous system controls things like heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. In CRPS, the autonomic system might malfunction, which can lead to changes in skin color, temperature, and sweating.

Potential causes of CRPS include:

Injuries

A sprained ankle, broken arm, or surgery could trigger it. Our office has represented numerous clients who have been diagnosed with CRPS after suffering a broken bone, such as a fractured foot. Broken bones are common injuries that can result from car/motorcycle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, etc.

Genetics

Some researchers believe that some people may have a higher chance of developing CRPS based on their family history.

Psychological Factors

Some doctors think that a person’s reaction to a stressful life event can trigger CRPS, while other doctors strongly disagree. Current research suggests that psychological factors do not play a major role in the onset of CRPS, except in cases of extreme stress. Psychological factors can, however, play an important role in how well a person copes with CRPS. This is why someone who’s been diagnosed with CRPS after being involved in a catastrophic accident should also be mindful of their mental health.

Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

CRPS can affect people in different ways. The most alarming feature of the disease may be that it often starts in a limb, such as an arm or leg, and can then spread throughout the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, 75% of patients report experiencing this spread, and 8-10% experience symptoms throughout their entire body. Here’s a breakdown of what someone with CRPS might experience:

Pain

The biggest symptom of CRPS is pain—often described as burning, stabbing, or feeling like your skin is on fire. This pain can be much worse than expected for the injury you had and can last for months or even years. It might even spread to other parts of your body.

Swelling

CRPS often causes the affected limb (like an arm or leg) to swell. The swelling may make the limb feel heavy or tight.

Skin Changes

The skin around the injured area might change color—it could turn red, purple, or blotchy. The skin might also feel warmer or cooler than the skin on the rest of the body, and this can change throughout the day. The sweating may also increase, or the skin might get unusually dry.

Sensitivity to Touch

People with CRPS often experience something called allodynia, where even light touch or clothing brushing against the skin can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes, just moving the affected limb a little can cause severe pain.

Changes in Hair and Nails

Hair and nails in the affected area may grow in strange patterns, or they may grow slower or faster than usual. Nails can become brittle or discolored.

Stiffness/Limited Mobility

The pain and swelling can make it hard to move the affected arm or leg. Over time, this can lead to muscle weakness and a limited range of motion. In some cases, the muscles may diminish due to the lack of use.

How Do Doctors Diagnose CRPS?

Diagnosing CRPS is tricky. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) does not have a specific diagnostic test. Instead, diagnosis relies on the patient’s medical history and reported symptoms. Doctors may ask questions about your injury and how your pain started. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, construction accident, or suffered a workplace injury, it’s always important that you share this information with the medical providers. They may also ask if you’ve noticed any changes in skin color, temperature, or swelling. Doctors look for signs like swelling, changes in skin color, or abnormal sweating. If these things are happening, it can point to CRPS.

Since CRPS can look like other conditions (like arthritis or other kinds of nerve damage), a doctor may order additional tests such as blood work, bone scans, nerve conduction tests, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. This is why it’s important for patients to explain as much detail as possible, because what appears to be a simple neck strain from an auto accident may turn out to be CRPS.

Because not all healthcare professionals are familiar with CRPS, there can be delays in diagnosis or misdiagnosis. It is crucial to consult a specialist—such as a doctor, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist—who is experienced in recognizing the signs and symptoms of CRPS to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

How is CRPS Treated?

Even though CRPS doesn’t have a cure, it can be managed. Treatment usually involves a mix of therapies aimed at controlling pain, reducing inflammation, and improving movement and function. Here are some of the most common treatment methods:

  • Pain Management: Doctors may recommend pain relievers, including over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or stronger medications like opioids for more severe cases. They may also use topical creams or patches to numb the pain.
  • Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is often used to help people with CRPS regain movement and strength in the affected limb. The goal is to help them move their arm or leg again and reduce muscle weakness.
  • Psychological Therapy: Since CRPS can be very stressful and cause anxiety or depression, therapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy) can help people cope with the emotional side of the disease.
  • Nerve Blocks: In some cases, doctors may use intervention therapy such as nerve blocks or injections to help control pain by interrupting the pain signals being sent by the nerves.
  • Sympathetic Nerve Treatments: Since CRPS affects the sympathetic nervous system, treatments using the implantation of nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulation may help reduce symptoms. These treatments aim to change how the brain processes pain. However, implant therapy is typically considered a last resort when all other methods of pain management have not provided relief.

Challenges of Living with CRPS

Living with CRPS can be tough. The constant pain, swelling, and changes in skin color can make it hard to do everyday things. Many people with CRPS also feel frustrated or depressed because the condition is hard to explain, and others may not understand how painful it is. This stress, accompanied with the stress from the accident or injury that lead to the diagnosis, can be difficult to manage.

If you or someone you know has CRPS, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help. There are support groups and online communities where people with CRPS can share their experiences and advice. Also, doctors and specialists can help guide you through different treatment options and ways to manage the condition. If the actions of another person led to your CRPS diagnose, it’s important to learn about your legal options by reaching out to our team at Charles Boyk Law for a free consultation. Our attorneys can focus on the legal battle, while you focus on your recovery.

Charles Boyk Law Fights for Those Struggling with CRPS

Proving a case involving chronic pain can be challenging because pain is a personal experience that’s hard to measure. This is particularly true for cases involving Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. CRPS is a long-term, incurable condition that causes severe, often disabling pain. For lawyers and their clients, CRPS is especially problematic because its diagnosis and treatment are still widely debated. The condition is complex, often misdiagnosed, and difficult to explain clearly, making it hard to present convincingly to a jury or even an insurance adjuster. At Charles Boyk Law, we understand the complexity of conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and are skilled at clearly communicating the true extent of our clients’ pain and suffering. Thanks to our deep understanding and strategic approach, we’ve secured favorable outcomes for many clients now living with this debilitating condition.

One of our clients, an ER nurse, was injured during a “code blue” when she tripped over a cord attached to a medical device and fell, striking her forehead on a cabinet. This workplace accident caused injuries to her face and neck and resulted in a concussion. Unfortunately, her pain didn’t stop there; she developed several additional conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Our team at Charles Boyk Law was handling her workers’ compensation claim when a dispute arose over adding her dental injuries to the claim. After the Ohio Industrial Commission denied our request, we took the matter to the Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Through persistent work from both our workers’ compensation and litigation teams, we were able to secure a settlement of $597,331.20 for our client.

Our office also represented a passenger who suffered severe injuries in a head-on collision with a semi-truck. The accident was the result of the truck driver’s failure to yield, and our client sustained a range of serious injuries, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a fractured left foot, post-traumatic migraine headaches, mild traumatic brain injury, insomnia, and other significant injuries. Despite seeking treatment for several years, her doctors have indicated that her CRPS will continue to impact her ability to perform daily activities. CRPS can persist for a lifetime, requiring ongoing care even if she eventually goes into remission. After thorough depositions and an unsuccessful mediation, Attorney Charles Boyk and his litigation team secured a $225,000 settlement for our client, avoiding the need for a trial.

We represent another client who was tragically diagnosed with CRPS after a forklift ran over his foot while he was on the job. Since the forklift accident, the client has endured extensive treatments to manage his pain, including five surgeries—some involving toe amputations—multiple injections, and the implantation of a nerve stimulator. At Charles Boyk Law, our workers’ compensation team has been by his side, helping him navigate his claim and secure treatment from specialists who can effectively manage his condition. While his workers’ compensation claim is still ongoing, we’ve already made significant progress, fighting to add multiple conditions to his claim and ensuring he receives the treatment he needs.

Reach Out for Help Filing a CRPS Claim

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that causes severe pain and other symptoms like swelling, skin changes, and mobility issues. Unfortunately, many innocent people have developed this condition after being injured in car/motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, workplace accidents, falls, etc. Though it is rare, CRPS can be very challenging for those who have it. While there is no cure, there are many ways to manage the condition with treatments like pain relief, physical therapy, and nerve blocks. If you think you or someone you know may have CRPS, it’s important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding CRPS can help those affected by it feel less alone and more supported in their journey toward managing the condition. If you or a friend is dealing with CRPS, know that there is help available—and with the right treatment and support, life with CRPS can become more manageable. Our team at Charles Boyk Law understands that living with CRPS can be incredibly challenging. If you suspect someone else’s negligence contributed to your diagnosis, we can help. Schedule a free consultation with our team at Charles Boyk Law to explore your legal options and discuss a potential road to recovery.

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