San Diego Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Injury Attorney

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a painful condition that can develop after you have suffered an injury or illness. Your nervous system short circuits and sends constant pain signals to the brain. As a result, you experience excruciating pain above and beyond what is normal for your type of injury. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can be incredibly debilitating and financially burdensome. If another person’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to demand compensation.

Injury Trial Lawyers, APC has been dedicated to helping accident victims across San Diego for more than 17 years. During this time, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. We understand how difficult a condition like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can be and are prepared to help you fight for the money you deserve. Call our San Diego Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy injury attorney to schedule your free case assessment. We’ll explain your rights and answer the questions you have.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a painful condition that typically affects one limb or extremity after an injury or illness. The condition, which is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, tends to affect the hands more than any other part of the body. While Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is classified as a “rare” condition by the FDA, it actually affects more than 200,000 people in the United States every year.

So what exactly is RSD? It’s a condition that affects both your involuntary nervous system and peripheral nerves. Trauma to the body causes the nervous system to short circuit. Nerves are responsible for relaying signals to and from the brain. When you suffer from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, nerves it the affected area of your body mistakenly send constant pain signals to the brain. Your involuntary nervous system begins to work in overdrive, which directly affects blood flow and sweat glands in the affected area. The condition involves chronic pain lasting more than 6 months, swelling and redness, and stiffness in the limb.

Three Stages of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

There are three distinct stages of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: acute, dystrophic, and atrophic.

1. Acute RSD

The first stage of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is known as the acute stage. It typically lasts for 3 months. During the acute stage, you may begin to experience excruciating pain that is above and beyond what is normal for your particular injury. In addition to constant pain the affected area, you may begin to notice swelling, redness, and warmth to the touch. Your affected limb may also begin to stiffen slightly. If the condition affects your hands or feet, you may notice that your nails growing faster.

2. Dystrophic RSD

The second stage of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is known as the dystrophic stage. It typically lasts for 3 to 12 months. During the dystrophic stage, you may notice that your affected area continues to swell and is increasingly sensitive to the touch. Stiffness in the affected area will increase and you may experience difficulty moving. Your nails may also become brittle.

3. Atrophic RSD

The third and final stage of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is known as the atrophic stage. It typically begins 1 year after the onset of RSD and can last indefinitely. Pain in the affected area may decrease during the atrophic stage. However, stiffness in the area may increase and you may have a significant lack of mobility. Effects of the condition may also begin to migrate to other parts of the body.

Causes of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

The precise cause of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is still unknown. However, the condition generally manifests after a traumatic injury or illness. Causes of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can include:

Have you been involved in a San Diego accident? Are you experiencing excruciating pain, swelling, and stiffness in your hands, arm, legs, or feet? You may have developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers to find out how we can help you with your personal injury case.

Treatment for RSD

It is possible to stop Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in its tracks if it is diagnosed and treated in the early stages. If you are experiencing chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling after an accident, seek medical attention immediately.
Treatments for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy include:

Medication: Some medications can be used to treat Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and its symptoms. Doctors may prescribe NSAIDs, antidepressants, prednisone, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics, or blood pressure medications.
Exercise and Therapy: Movement, which gets blood flowing in the body, can be crucial for proper treatment of RSD. Doctors may ask you to exercise regularly or require you to complete physical therapy.
Anesthetics: Numbing the nerves in your affected area can help to stop the progression of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.
Surgery: There are also surgical options for treating Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Doctors can try to manipulate your nervous system by implanting pumps or electrical stimulation devices near your spinal cord.

In some cases, early medical intervention can reverse the condition.

Costs of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

It can be incredibly difficult to experience excruciating pain for an extended period of time. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can disrupt your life and impose significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. When you suffer from RSD you may require extensive medical care and treatment. Since RSD is a chronic condition, the costs of medical care and become overwhelming.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy may also force you to miss time at work. If you’re unable to work, the loss of income can just make matters worse. When you suffer from a chronic condition like RSD, there may be no telling when you’ll be able to return to work. The condition may also affect you in such a way that you’re unable to return to your job, at all.

Suffering from chronic and debilitating pain can also have significant emotional and psychological costs. Instead of living and experiencing life, you may be struggling to make it through the day because of your pain. Isolation can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The quality of your life can go downhill because of your chronic RSD pain.

At Injury Trial Lawyers, we understand that a condition like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy can affect every aspect of your life. We are committed to helping you recover the money you need and deserve. As your attorneys, we will fight to recover compensation for:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Disability
Rehabilitation
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Embarrassment, and more.

Are you suffering from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy? Call our San Diego reflex sympathetic dystrophy injury attorney today to schedule your free consultation.