Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): Causes, Symptoms and Assistance
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) may be rare, but for those afflicted, it is a serious, uncomfortable disorder that requires long term care and treatment. RSD is a neurological condition that is chronic or ongoing, often for life.

May 22, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): Causes, Symptoms and Assistance

Article provided by Hoyt & Hoyt, P.C. Please visit our Web site at www.hoytx2.com/.

Unless you have the misfortune of being a Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) patient, you may never have heard of this condition. RSD may be rare, but for those afflicted, it is a serious, uncomfortable disorder that requires long term care and treatment.

In 2007, workers reported over 400,000 strain, sprain and tear injuries nationwide. When this type of injury happens, nerves can be stretched or damaged as well, resulting in the more debilitating and chronic RSD. In addition to workplace injuries, many other Americans suffered similar injuries due to motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidents. In most instances the recovery from a strain, sprain or tear is fairly straight-forward and uncomplicated, but in some cases, people develop RSD, which often necessitates life-long treatment.

What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?

RSD is a neurological condition that is chronic or ongoing, often for life. The medical establishment considers certain events as possible causes of RSD, but the actual mechanisms are indefinite. The possible causes include:

• Traumatic injury such as a strain, sprain or bone-break
• Immobilization from an injury or surgical operation
• Infection
• Heart disease or heart attack
• Repetitive motion disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Radiation therapy

The symptoms can vary in range and intensity, and it is by the exclusion of other causes that a RSD diagnosis generally occurs, as there is no "positive" test. There are times in advanced cases where there is a very "typical" presentation on a radiographic exam, but this is in a minority of cases. Some symptoms of RSD may include:
• Some indicative event such as trauma or surgical immobilization
• Continued pain, burning, tingling or other neurological symptom that is out of proportion to the event starting treatment
• Excess swelling of indeterminate cause and/or joint pain
• Flushing of skin, changes in skin temperature (hot or cold), changes in the skin's appearance or texture
• Muscle spasm, tremor or weakness

Consult with an Attorney for Assistance

Whether you have been injured on the job, in a motor vehicle accident or due to another accident or event, you will face challenging issues. Some issues may include receiving adequate medical care and treatment for your condition, paying for medical costs and paying for every day living expenses when your pain makes you unable to work. An attorney may help you receive the compensation considered necessary to meet these issues and needs. RSD can be a very difficult condition to identify and treat. One of the ways an experienced legal professional can assist someone suffering from RSD is to help connect him or her with a network of physicians specializing in the diagnoses and treatment of this condition.

A doctor evaluation will also be critical when a court is determining damages/compensation. Both the plaintive and the defendant in an injury case may call upon a physician to evaluate the level of disability and loss. Pain is one of the factors examined by the court during evaluation; it can be mild, moderate, severe or very severe. The doctor may also examine your existing range of motion and estimate your capability to work and also activities related to daily living. The doctor will grade the impact of your RSD from a level of low to high in terms of the restrictions it places on your capabilities.

An experienced attorney can also help ensure that the cost of your injury and ongoing RSD condition is properly valued by the court. Settlements may include some or all of the following (depending on the circumstances):

• Medial costs
• Costs of future medical treatment and care
• Lost wages and loss of future wages
• Compensation if disability is likely to impair future employment opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Punative damages

Conclusion

If you have been injured on the job, in a motor vehicle accident, or in some other incident and believe you may be suffering from RSM, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer in your area. An attorney may be able help you connect with physicians experienced in RSD to determine your diagnosis and provide treatment. An attorney may also assist you in determining the best course of action for you and your family, based on your medical diagnoses and the legal options available.

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