Is There a Difference between CRPS and RSD?

Getting into an accident can leave you with serious injuries, but many people experience full or partial recovery and return to a normal state of health in due time. Unfortunately, some injury victims have continuing, intense pain on a chronic basis, even if there is sufficient healing of the injury site. If you are having this experience, along with other unusual symptoms following a slip and fall, auto accident, or another traumatic event, it’s possible that you may be suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

As both of these conditions involve chronic pain, most people assume they are the same illness. However, RSD and CRPS have critical differences that you should know about if you were injured in an accident. Aside from medical care, it’s a good idea to obtain legal advice from a lawyer if someone else’s careless of reckless behavior is the reason you were injured. For a consultation on your rights and legal options, completely free of charge, contact the personal injury lawyers of Kenmore.

What is the Difference between CRPS and RSD?
Because the terms Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome are used interchangeably quite often, it’s understandable why people ask “Is CPRS the same as RSD?’

No, these are names for two different conditions with similar symptoms, and they are often associated with an injury from a traumatic event. One of the reasons for the confusion with these conditions has to do with the fact that RSD used to be term that was used for the condition that is currently referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I. This is a form of chronic pain in the extremities that is not caused by nerve damage.
Symptoms That Indicate CRPS or RSD
Since RSD was the older term for CRPS Type 1, it’s easy to think that these are the same conditions. They also share many of the same symptoms, like the ones listed below:

• Intense pain
• Temperature changes to the skin (skin feeling warmer or cooler than normal)
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Skin discoloration, usually red, purple, pale, or blotchy areas
• Changes in skin texture (thinning or shiny skin)
• Abnormal hair and nail growth pattern
• Swollen or stiff joints
• Limited range in the affected body part

It’s unlikely that you will have most of these symptoms at the same time, but intense pain that doesn’t go away on its own is the primary sign that you may have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Additionally, the pain will get worse over time, not better, and this is even after you have fully healed from the injury. Finally, the location of the pain is almost always in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.
What is the Difference between Type I and Type II CRPS?
To put it simply, the main difference between CRPS Type I and Type II is whether you have any damage to the peripheral nerves.

If you do not have a nerve injury in the affected area, you have what is known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1. Most people who are diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome have Type I, so there’s a good chance you fall into this category.

CRPS Type II, on the other hand, occurs when there is damage to a peripheral nerve. In spite of this critical difference, both conditions are indicated by similar symptoms. Furthermore, the treatments for Type I and Type II CRPS are generally the same, and may involve imaging tests, various forms of therapy, and pain medications.
Available Treatments You can Explore
There is growing evidence to suggest that early intervention minimizes the severity of complications that are associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Treatment options that may be of benefit to you include:

• Over the counter pain meds
• Prescription pain killers
• Antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Corticosteroids, like Prednisone
• Intravenous ketamine
• Bone loss medications
• Topical patches and creams
• Blood pressure medications
• Physical therapy
• Heat therapy
• TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
• Mirror therapy
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Intrathecal drug pumps
• Acupuncture

Even with treatment, you are likely to have flare ups throughout your life due to triggering events, like intense periods of stress. Make sure to stay on top of your symptoms and notify your doctor of any changes in your condition, so they can make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Deadline to Sue for an Injury Resulting in CRPS or RSD
According to California law, the statute of limitations for injuries caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct is 2 years. As a general rule, the SOL starts on the date of the incident, so it’s vital to start the legal process immediately with help from an experienced personal injury law firm.

Please be aware that the deadline for an injury claim may be different if you were diagnosed with an injury later down the road, possibly months or years after the accident. In this situation, how long you have to file a compensation claim is based on the date of diagnosis. Another consideration involves claims against public entities, like government agencies and public school districts. These cases must be filed no later than 6 months from the when the incident occurred.

As you can see, there are various issues to think about when it comes to how much time you have for an accident injury claim in the state of California. For clarification on this issue, contact us and talk to a lawyer with experience in chronic pain disorders.
Contact Kenmore Law Group
The legal experts of Kenmore Law Group are ready to guide you through the legal system, step by step. Our attorneys have a proven track record of recovery for accident victims, and we are more than prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve by law.

With the Zero Fee Guarantee, you won’t have to worry about paying for an attorney, since we agree to represent you on contingency. That means we agree to receive a percentage of your settlement, which only happens if we win your case. This way, there is no risk to your finances, no matter the outcome.

For a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team, contact our office at your earliest opportunity.