Everything You Need to Know About Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Fearing she had broken her ankle in a fall during high school gym class, Lori J. went to the emergency room. Although x-rays revealed no broken bones, the physician on duty put her leg in a cast. When the cast was removed, she was still having severe pain, in addition to unusual skin discoloration. Six months later, the pain in her leg and ankle had become worse. After visiting several specialists and undergoing numerous tests, Lori was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Furthermore, she learned the condition had been caused by improper application of the cast in the emergency room. Many years later, she is still suffering from the consequences of a lifelong disease that could have been avoided.
What is reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a condition that causes severe chronic pain. It typically develops after an injury or surgical procedure and frequently affects one arm, leg, hand or foot. In addition to the often-debilitating pain, patients may experience swelling and changes in skin color and temperature. Generally, the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.
Medical professionals believe the disease occurs when the sympathetic nervous system malfunctions. While it is usually triggered by an injury or trauma, some patients develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy without an identifiable cause.
More women than men develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The typical age range for men and women is 30-60. Elderly people and very young children are seldom affected.
What are the symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
There are presently no specific diagnostic tests for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Therefore, a physician will base a diagnosis on the patient’s medical history and current symptoms. While the disease may be invisible in some cases, its effects are devastatingly real.
A doctor may also order testing to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. These could include arthritis, Lyme disease, generalized muscle diseases, clotted veins or small fiber polyneuropathies.
Below are some of the most common symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. However, patients may experience different symptoms with varying degrees of severity. While some people have symptoms immediately after an injury, others may not show signs of the condition for several months. Symptoms may also change as the disease progresses.
- Continuous burning or “pins-and-needles” pain, usually in the arm, leg, hand or foot
- Sensitivity to touch or cold
- Swelling of the affected area
- Skin temperature that alternates between hot and cold
- Changes in skin color, ranging from white and mottled to red or blue
- Skin texture may become tender, thin or shiny
- Changes in hair and nail growth
- Joint stiffness and/or swelling
- Muscle spasms, tightness, weakness, and loss of coordination
- Abnormal movements in the affected limb, such as fixed abnormal posture, tremors or jerking
- Decreased ability to move the affected body part
In addition, the condition may spread from its source to elsewhere in the body, such as the opposite limb. Some people suffer pain that spreads to the entire arm or leg, even though they initially injured a finger or toe. Occasionally, the pain travels to the opposite extremity, although this is uncommon.
What are the long-term effects of reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
Patients who receive treatment early have a better chance of recovery. However, because the condition is difficult to diagnose, it may be advanced by the time the patient begins treatment.
Here are some of the long-term consequences:
- Chronic lifelong pain that profoundly affects quality of life
- Limited mobility that may prevent a person from working or engaging in activities they previously enjoyed
- Permanent disability or incapacitation, including the inability to resume work
- Depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder that impedes rehabilitation therapy
- Prolonged use of medications that may produce unwanted side effects
- Addiction to opiates used to alleviate chronic pain
Is reflex sympathetic dystrophy caused by medical malpractice?
While this is not always the case, some people develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy as a result of medical negligence. When that happens, the patient may be entitled to compensation for expenses such as medical bills, lost wages and more. Additionally, victims may be eligible for non-economic damages such as emotional distress and pain and suffering.
Here are some examples of medical mistakes that could cause reflex sympathetic dystrophy:
- Performing unnecessary surgery
- Administering an injection incorrectly or in the wrong location
- Improper monitoring of an IV infiltration
- Failing to diagnose the condition at its onset, causing the disease to worsen and become irreversible
- Providing incorrect treatment once the condition has been diagnosed
- Incorrectly applying and/or monitoring a cast
If you or a loved one is suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, our experienced medical malpractice legal team can help. With our assistance, thousands of people have recovered substantial damages for the harm caused by negligent medical practitioners. We are ready to help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.
Medical malpractice law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.
Call 1-800-MALPRACTICE today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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