Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD is a disorder of the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system regulates heart rate, blood vessels, and blood pressure.
Symptoms include chronic, severe pain.
RSD can occur in different parts of the body, including legs, arms, hands or feet.
The skin over the affected area may swell and become inflamed and sensitive to touch and temperature changes.
The cause of RSD is not completely understood. However, it appears to be related to injury to the nerves, trauma, infection, or as a result of surgery.
Treatment includes a combination of drugs and nerve blocks.
RSD develops in Workers’ Compensation cases after a traumatic injury or after surgery.
RSD is often controversial. The insurance company will try to find a doctor who will provide the opinion that the cause of the injured worker’s RSD is not related to the work injury.
The injured worker will have to have a treating doctor who testifies that the RSD developed as a result of the work injury.
RSD complications may linger and affect you for many years. It will not be easy to settle your case. On the other hand, a trial may not help you much either because it does not really address long term treatment.
However, if you cannot get a decent settlement offer you may have no choice but go to trial.
Questions about your Work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.