Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

When people apply for short-term or long-term disability benefits, it can be as a result of a physical or psychological injury or illness. Many people are unable to continue working as a result of psychological illness such as depression or as a result of a chronic pain disorder.

This blog post will look at complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Complex regional pain syndrome can interfere with a person’s daily activities and ability to complete the essential duties of his or her job.

It is well known that there is a strong connection between chronic pain conditions and psychological health. For example, people with chronic pain conditions may also experience symptoms of depression and depression, and anxiety and stress all affect the body’s ability to cope with pain. When this happens, the pain experience can be more intense. Intense pain can also cause a person to experience symptoms of fatigue and low energy which makes it difficult to perform their usual activities.

What is complex regional pain syndrome?

According to a fact sheet from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it is a chronic pain condition that typically affects only one limb (an arm, leg, hand or foot) after an injury. It can be a progressive condition. CRPS is characterized by sustained or excessive pain and changes in skin colour, temperature and/or swelling in the affected area. Symptoms can vary in intensity and duration and in more severe cases, individuals may not achieve recovery.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is prolonged severe pain that may be constant, and it has been described as burning, a pins and needles sensation, or a squeezing sensation. The pain may spread to the entire arm or leg even though the injury may have only involved a finger or toe. Other symptoms include changes in skin temperature, joint stiffness, problems with muscle movement.

What are the causes?

It is not known what the exact cause of complex regional pain syndrome is, but what seem to be common triggers include surgery or minor procedures, having a limb being in a cast, fractures, sprains, strains or soft tissue injury. While there is no specific test that can confirm CRPS, the patient’s medical history, signs and symptoms are taken into consideration. Testing also may be used to help rule out other conditions such as arthritis, Lyme disease or a vein issue. Doctors will be able to distinguish CRPS from something else because the telling feature of it complex regional pain syndrome is an injury to the affected area.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose complex regional pain syndrome, doctors use x-rays, MRIs or bone scans to detect mineral loss or increased circulation in the affected joints or electro-diagnostic testing to detect nerve damage or abnormal nerve activity.

As lawyers practicing in the area of long-term disability law, we recognize how chronic pain can render a person unable to work as pain can interfere with various aspects of a person’s life.