Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (“CRPS”) can be the result of a traumatic Workers’ Compensation injury.
If you develop CRPS it will complicate your original injury and limit your activities.
Complex Regional Pain is defined as a chronic pain condition in which high levels of nerve impulses are sent to an affected area of the body.
There is no cure for the condition.
There may be multiple causes of CRPS.
Often there has been some type of injury or trauma and then symptoms of chronic pain develop.
The symptoms include burning pain, swelling and stiffness of affected joints, decreased ability to move parts of the body, changes in nail or hair growth, temperature changes or color changes of the skin.
There is not a specific diagnostic test for CRPS. It is based on an initial injury, higher than usual pain for the injury, a change in the appearance of the injured area, and no other cause for the pain or change of appearance.
Treatment for CRPS is nerve blocks, pain medications, or electrical stimulators.
People who have a serious CRPS condition may be limited because the pain is so severe that it interferes with concentration, and limits the ability to sit, stand, walk, or lift, or handle, finger or reach.
The limitations as a result of CRPS will be important in determining the value of your Work Comp case. Permanent limitations may prevent you from working at your former job, or from working at any job.
Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.