Tag Archives: RSD attorney

Can Ketamine Be Used to Treat RSD?

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RSD Ketamine

Can Ketamine Be Used to Treat RSD?

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Attorney. There are many diseases out there that cause people to live in chronic pain. For people who struggle with this on a daily basis, they are familiar with the quality of life issues that it can cause. Some of the issues that people with chronic pain struggle with include:

  • Strained relationships with family and friends
  • Trouble sleeping at night
  • Medication addiction related to the use of opioids and narcotic medications
  • Depression and a feeling of despair
  • Difficulty with time missed from work or school

One of the often overlooked diseases that cause chronic pain is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. People who suffer from this syndrome can have chronic pain that makes it difficult to move, joint stiffness, swelling, mobility issues, and even changes in their skin, hair, and nails. Without a doubt, one of the worst symptoms of this disease is the chronic pain. For many people, multiple different treatments are employed to try and blunt the pain. Some of the treatment options include:

  • The use of narcotic or opioid pain medication
  • Sympathetic nerve blocks
  • Total sympathectomies where the sympathetic nerves are transected

Sometimes, even this isn’t enough to dull the pain. Fortunately, there is another option available for people suffering from RSD. It is a medication called Ketamine.

Research Articles: The Use of Ketamine to Treat RSD

Several years ago, when RSD was called CRPS, an article was published by research professionals named Harbut and Correll. In their case report, they reported on the successful treatment of an adult patient with an IV infusion of ketamine. This woman had struggled with CRPS for close to a decade. After this was reported, a team of researchers conducted a large-scale research study to see if ketamine could be used to treat RSD or CRPS.

Research Study Results

The results of the research study were published in Pain Medicine, which is the official journal published by the American Academy of Pain Medicine. More than 30 patients received a ketamine treatment during the duration of this study. About a third of the patients had a relapse of their pain and required a second treatment. Only two of the patients needed the third treatment. The results of the study were remarkable. Only two of those patients reported no relief of their pain. More than 75 percent of the patients said they had total relief with the ketamine treatment.

Relapse of Pain

The patients were followed closely after receiving the treatment. More than half of the patients reported remaining entirely pain-free for more than three months. About a third of the patients said that they had no pain after six months. After receiving the second treatment, more than half of the patients remained free of pain for a year. A third of the patients remained totally pain-free for more than three years. This indicates just how effective ketamine can be in the treatment of pain related to RSD or CRPS.

Side Effects of Ketamine

Like any medication, ketamine can have some side effects that people should know of in advance. The most frequent side effect that patients noted was the feeling of being inebriated. Some of the other side effects include:

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Nausea
  • Liver inflammation, called hepatitis

In the case of hepatitis, the infusion of ketamine was stopped immediately. This side effect is uncommon.

Help is Available

Even though some individuals may feel hopeless when it comes to chronic pain, it is essential to know that help is available. The results of this study show that there are options out there even for people who have had chronic pain for years. Furthermore, it can be helpful to meet with an RSD attorney if your injury was caused by the negligence of someone else. An injury lawyer has been through cases like this before and can place you and your family in a position to be successful. Please call today with any questions.

Related Articles by Ed Smith

Compassionate and Experienced RSD Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Attorney in Sacramento. If you or a family member have developed chronic pain from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please give me a call at (916) 382-0693. I would be happy to share some free, friendly legal advice to those in need.

All of my visitors may look through our sample results here.

The Creative Commons CC0 License has permitted to use this image found first on PIxabay.

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Sprained Ankles Can Lead to RSD

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Sprained Ankle RSD

Sprained Ankles Can Lead to RSD

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD attorney in Sacramento. Almost everyone has sustained some sort of minor injury at some point in their life. For some, it may have been a slip and fall that led to a bruise. For others, it could have been a scraped knee on the sidewalk while playing sports. Another (typically) minor injury that people often sustain is a sprained ankle. A sprained ankle is the term given when someone injures the ligaments of their ankle without causing a severe tear. There are many ways that someone can sprain their ankle, including rolling their ankle while playing sports or stepping in a hole while running. While most people typically recover from a sprained ankle with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, a recent case report was published describing someone who developed a severe condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), from their injury.

A Case Report: A Sprained Ankle Can Lead to RSD

A case report was published describing a young woman who worked a full-time job that involved her being on her feet for most of the day. Unfortunately, she had an accident where she sprained her ankle. She tried to continue working her shifts, trying to manage as best as she could. She was on crutches; however, the floor was slippery and eventually, she fell again. This time, the fall was so severe that she had to miss work, regardless of how she felt. As the weeks passed by, she began to struggle. She was missing work, not getting paid, and in intense pain. The young woman was having trouble taking care of not only herself but also her family. She was experiencing a variety of different symptoms, including:

  • Intense, burning pain with any physical contact
  • Swelling of the ankle and foot
  • A significant loss of mobility and range of motion

Eventually, she went to go and see a doctor for help figuring out what was going on. She was eventually diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a severe nerve disease that causes many of the symptoms described above.

What to Do if Diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

After receiving her diagnosis, the young woman tried a variety of different treatments. For someone diagnosed with RSD, the treatments could include:

  • Pain medications to try and alleviate the symptoms
  • Sympathetic nerve blocks to calm the inflamed nerves
  • Transections of the affected nerves called a sympathectomy

Unfortunately for the young woman above, the symptoms never completely disappeared. Every day continues to be a struggle as she tries to cope with the disease and her diagnosis; however, her story is not unique. There are millions of people out there who struggle with RSD and similar conditions that are accompanied by chronic pain. It is imperative for everyone, including their families, to know that there is help available. In tough situations, it is a good idea to sit down and speak with an experienced RSD attorney in Sacramento. Families can meet with a professional and review all of the options available to them. This could lead to a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Related Articles by Ed Smith

Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. RSD claims require an experienced Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Attorney. I have handled many RSD cases successfully. These cases have led to fair and just compensation for the injured person. If you have been hurt by another’s negligence and your injury has resulted in RSD, please reach out to me today at (916) 382-0693. I can provide you with free, friendly legal advice concerning your potential claim.

Feel free to look at my sample results here.

Pixabay hosted the image at the top. The CC0 Creative Commons License has given permission to show it here.

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Can a Bone Scan Help Diagnose RSD?

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RSD Bone Scan

Can a Bone Scan Help Diagnose RSD?

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD attorney in Sacramento. There are a lot of different tests that doctors can order that might help to diagnose a serious illness. In addition to routine laboratory work such as blood tests, doctors can also order imaging to get a better idea of what is happening inside of someone’s body. Examples of common imaging procedures that might be ordered include x-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans; however, a lesser known test is called a bone scan. For those who don’t know, a bone scan can be used to diagnose both common and rare diseases that might impact the nerves, tendons, ligaments, or bones. The steps of a bone scan include:

  • A tracer is injected into the limb of the patient. This tracer has been labeled with an isotope that will light up on the image.
  • Images are taken following the tracer injection. Some of the images are taken immediately while other pictures are taken a couple hours after the tracer is injected.
  • Additional images could be taken, such as SPECT images, which stands for single-photon emission computerized tomography. This is used if images of the deep bones are required.
  • The camera may rotate as the pictures are taken.
  • Once the pictures are done, the doctor will review the results with the patient.

Bone scans can be used to help in the diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

What are some of the signs that a doctor may look for on a bone scan that supports a diagnosis of RSD?

A Bone Scan Can Help Diagnose RSD

A bone scan is a common imaging procedure that physicians will use to support a diagnosis of RSD. It is important to note that this test alone cannot confirm or refute a diagnosis of RSD; it must always be used in conjunction with a clinical history and physical exam. Depending on the stage of RSD, the bone scan could show different findings. In patients with RSD, a bone scan may show a significant amount of bone loss of vasoconstriction that could be occurring due to RSD. This means that patients with RSD who do not have any bone loss (such as those in stage 1) may have a normal bone scan. Because of this, it is vital for physicians to use other modalities in addition to a bone scan to make a diagnosis of RSD. While a bone scan can help a physician make a diagnosis, it should never be used alone.

Help From a Legal Professional

If someone has received a diagnosis of RSD, it has the potential to completely change their life. People with RSD can have problems with:

  • Going to work
  • Doing chores around the house
  • Driving a car
  • Attending school
  • Running errands

These issues can affect the life of not only the individual but also their entire family. This can create a lot of stress that families could have trouble dealing with. During these instances, it can be helpful to meet with an RSD attorney in Sacramento. I hope you and your family decide to work with my team; however, everyone deserves to work with a caring attorney who places the family’s interests first. While I cannot promise or guarantee any results, I can promise that we will work tirelessly on your behalf.

Related Articles

Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Attorney in Sacramento. If someone you know has developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, feel free to contact me at (916) 382-0693. I am willing to share friendly, free legal advice.

Feel free to look at my sample results here.

The top image was found on Pixabay. It is used here under the CC0 Creative Commons License.

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What are the Important Skin Symptoms of RSD?

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RSD Skin Symptoms

What are the Important Skin Symptoms of RSD?

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD attorney in Sacramento. Those who live with chronic pain understand just how serious this can be. When someone has been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), this is often a life-changing experience. Some of the symptoms that people might experience include:

  • Severe burning or shock-like pain in one of their arms or legs
  • Loss of dexterity and mobility in their fingers or toes
  • Severe joint stiffness that makes it hard to walk or run
  • Swelling of the hands, feet, arms, or legs

It is easy to see how these symptoms can prevent someone from going to work or attending school. While these symptoms are significant, there are also some other issues that people should look after. These might clue somebody in that they could be suffering from RSD. In addition to the symptoms discussed above, RSD can also be present with skin, hair, and nail symptoms that could cause their own quality of life issues. It is important for individuals suffering from RSD and their families to understand the entirety of the picture that Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can create.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Skin Symptoms

Because RSD can cause such severe pain in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, it is easy to focus on these issues; however, the skin symptoms that accompany Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can be just as severe. According to published research, up to 5 percent of patients can develop skin symptoms with RSD. Some of the issues that people may notice include:

Darker Skin: The skin covering the affected area tends to turn dark when people have RSD for an extended period of time. Because people do not use the affected limb as much, the outer layers of the skin do not wear off like they usually do. Furthermore, the pain often prevents people from taking care of this area of skin properly. When the skin doesn’t peel, it tends to turn dark. Washing the area or placing a simple cream on it could solve this discoloration.

Nail Growth: Many individuals with RSD notice that their nails may grow more quickly. They could appear hard and brittle. Other people have reported that the nails become more curved. Medical professionals sometimes call these nails “hourglass nails” and many patients do not like to cut their nails because of the intense pain. Some patients have found nail files to be effective. It is important to try and trim these nails to prevent them from becoming ingrown.

Brittle Skin: Because the tissue in the affected area tends to atrophy, the skin becomes brittle. It often bruises easily and could appear like eczema. In severe cases, ulcers of the skin may start to appear. It is important to seek medical care for these ulcers as quickly as possible. Ulcers in these areas of skin tend to heal slowly and could become infected.

Lymphedema: The swelling that individuals with RSD notice could be due to blockage of the lymphatic systems. If this starts to compress the arteries and veins, blood clots could begin to form. Medical professionals often start compression stockings to keep the fluid mobile and prevent this from happening; however, because of the excruciating pain, this usually is not possible. Therefore, people are often asked to take medications to keep their blood flowing. In severe cases, a sympathetic nerve block could be suggested as well.

Help is Available

For families struggling with RSD, help is available. A trained RSD attorney in Sacramento can help a family review all of the legal options available to them.

Related Articles by Ed Smith

Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If you believe you have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please reach out to me at (916) 382-0693 for free, friendly legal advice.

Feel free to look through our sample results here.

The image at the top, found at Pixabay, has been hosted here under the CC0 License.

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