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Crush Injuries can Lead to RSD

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Crush Injuries can Lead to RSD

Crush Injuries can Lead to RSD 

Although there have been new medicines developed, new diagnostic tests created, and new treatment options researched, some medical problems never seem to go away. One example is chronic pain, which impacts millions of people in the United States. Many individuals with chronic pain have to take medications on a daily basis, which opens the door for potential addiction issues to develop. Some of the statistics that have been put together by the healthcare professionals with the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) have demonstrated that:

  • Back pain is the most common type of chronic pain, with more than a quarter of people living with daily pain highlighting this as the location
  • Americans who are under 45 years of age, chronic back pain is the leading cause of disability
  • More than a quarter of people in the United States have had pain that lasted for more than 24 hours at some point in their life
  • Half of the individuals surveyed in a research study reported that they felt like they had little control over their pain
  • 60 percent of people in this same survey said that their chronic pain impacted their quality of life

Based on these numbers, it is easy to see why people may struggle to keep their pain under control. One example of a disease process that causes chronic pain is called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), which is also called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This disease has many different causes, one of which is a crush injury.

What is a Crush Injury?

A crush injury is a very serious injury that could have catastrophic consequences. In a crush injury, an extremely heavy object often falls from a great height and causes a marked compression of a part of the body. While crush injuries often develop following a natural disaster, they can happen at any time. When this happens, massive tissue death develops. A crush injury compresses vital pathways to the impacted limb, such as nerves, arteries, and veins. Compression of blood vessels removes the ability for oxygen and nutrients to reach the limb and prevents the tissue from removing its waste products. Because of this, ischemia starts to set in, the tissue starts to die, and necrosis develops.

How can a Crush Injury Lead to the Development of RSD?

As the tissues in the affected limb following a crush injury die, the nerves in the limb become damaged as well. Nerves are responsible for carrying sensory signals from the limb to the brain for processing and carry motor commands from the central nervous system back to the limb. Because a crush injury deprives nerves of their nutrients, these nerves become inflamed and damaged. When these nerves are damaged, such as following a crush injury, they can have issues processing signals properly. The signals often become scrambled, and the brain has trouble interpreting them. For people with RSD, these signals are often interpreted as pain. Individuals with RSD often receive their diagnosis following a battery of testing that provides few answers; however, nerve conduction studies and MRI scans can support a diagnosis of RSD. Treatment options consist of physical therapy, medical management, nerve blocks, and possible surgical procedures.

For those who develop RSD following a traumatic accident, the symptoms can be severe. Aside from pain, people also report changes in the temperature of their skin, their ability to perceive touch, and even alterations in their patterns of hair and nail growth. Ultimately, meeting with an RSD attorney in Sacramento can be helpful. A trained legal professional can take a look at all of the circumstances surrounding the accident to make sure that nothing is overlooked.

Related Articles by Ed Smith

Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If someone you care about has developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy following a crush injury, please call me at 916-382-0693. I am available to provide you and your family with free, friendly legal advice.

See some of our past client sample results here.

Image Citation: Pixabay hosted the image at the start of this page. The CC0 Creative Commons License has granted permission to show it here.

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After the Diagnosis of RSD: Stages of Grief

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After the RSD Diagnosis: Stages of Grief

After the Diagnosis of RSD: Stages of Grief

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. Diseases that lead to the development of chronic pain can be devastating for a loved one and their family. According to some of the statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health:

  • More than 100 million people in the United States live with chronic pain
  • One in ten Americans will deal with pain every day for three months or more
  • The most common locations for chronic pain are the lower back, neck, and head
  • Chronic pain is the number one reason why Americans claim long-term disability

One of the diseases that can cause someone to develop chronic pain is called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This disease leads to chronic inflammation of the nerves which causes them to misfire. The brain interprets these signals as pain, which leads to the primary symptom. When someone has been diagnosed with RSD, they often feel an extreme or overwhelming sense of despair. It is important to understand this grief and the stages that people may go through.

Managing Grief Related to RSD

RSD can be challenging to cope with and people with a new diagnosis will experience different stages of grief. It is important to note that some people may experience these stages in a different order or skip a stage altogether.

Denial: When people first receive their diagnosis, they may refuse to believe it. They have often undergone dozens of tests for different diseases that were all negative. Why should this one be any different?

Anger: Individuals may feel angry at the insistence of their diagnosis. They may vent on social media. They may take their anger out on family or friends, who should be patient and give their loved one some space.

Bargaining: There may be attempts to swap their diagnosis out for a different one that has a defined treatment. There will be searching for alternative explanations and answers.

Depression: It is natural for people to feel down and emotionally distressed over their chronic pain, their diagnosis, and an uncertain prognosis. They may feel like their diagnosis defines them in some way, which it should not.

Acceptance: Finally, individuals with a diagnosis of RSD will come to terms with their diagnosis and start to recover.

This grief can be overwhelming for people to manage and can quickly lead to severe depression. It is not a coincidence that people with RSD deal with a much higher rate of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts than the average population. Because of this, everyone with RSD should seek treatment from a mental health professional. Compassionate help is available to those who reach out for help.

Seeking Treatment from a Mental Health Professional

While many people with RSD will manage their symptoms with massage, pain medication, nerve blocks, surgical transections, and even electrical nerve stimulation, one of the most important treatments is seeking help from a mental health professional. Because of the intense grief that people with RSD feel, they are prone to developing depression and suicidal ideation. A mental health professional can look for warning signs that these symptoms are coming and help manage them before they appear. Furthermore, a medical provider has seen these stages of grief before and can help an individual work through them. This can help prevent people with RSD from developing depression or suicidal thoughts. A mental health professional should be a cornerstone of RSD treatment.

Assistance from a Legal Professional

The grief related to a diagnosis of RSD can be overwhelming for someone to deal with. They may feel like there is no hope for the future and that they will feel the symptoms of this disease for the rest of their life. It is important to note that there are multiple treatment options available and millions of people living with RSD in the United States lead meaningful, productive, fulfilling lives. For help with this syndrome, meeting with an RSD lawyer in Sacramento can be a good idea. A trained legal professional can help a family assess all of the options available to them and make a decision that acts in their best interests. While I cannot guarantee a verdict or settlement, I can promise that I will work my hardest to represent your family’s interests. Regardless of who you decide to go with, remember that you deserve a caring lawyer who understands your needs and will work to represent you. Please, contact me today with any questions.

Related Articles by Ed Smith

Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If you or a family member have developed this painful condition, please give me a call at 916-382-0693 for free, friendly advice.

See our sample results here.

The original form of this photo can be found on Pixabay. The CC0 Creative Commons License has granted permission to print it here.

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