Texas Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Attorney

Work With an Experienced CRPS Lawyer in Texas

What is CRPS?

CRPS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and is sometimes called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - RSD. Unfortunately, unless it is promptly and properly treated, it is a permanent, and painful injury. Few doctors have ever treated it, and therefore, many fail to recognize it. However, it is recognized by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as one of the worlds most complicated and painful injuries. Neurologists and Pain Management Doctors are specialists who commonly treat the injury.

crps attorneys in houston texas

CRPS is defined as a chronic pain condition typically affecting one limb following an injury. This occurs when there is damage or malfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system. Our central nervous system is characterized as our brain and spinal cord, while our peripheral nervous system takes signals from our brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This may also cause changes in skin color, temperature and/or swelling of the affected area.

There are two types of complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS I and CRPS II. If you are diagnosed without a confirmed nerve injury, it is classified as CRPS I (previously known as RSD). CRPS II is diagnosed with a confirmed nerve injury. While they are classified into two separate types, symptoms and treatment are similar.

Has Negligence Caused Your CRPS Injuries?

If your CRPS was brought on by an injury, surgery, or other negligenct action of another then you may be entitled to compensation. Personal injury attorney Joe Stephens is an experienced lawyer who has handled CRPS injury lawsuits throughout Texas and may be able to help you or a loved one receive compensation for an accident or injury that led to CRPS. To see if you have a CRPS lawsuit, contact our office today.

CRPS lawyer Joe Stephens is recognized as a Top Lawyer in Texas and across America, and has handled many complex regional pain syndrome cases.

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Did you Develop CRPS After a Medical or Traumatic Injury? Call Now for a Free Consultation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of CRPS?

CRPS is usually brought on by a serious injury such as broken or fractured bones, torn tendons or ligaments, or other traumatic injury(such as burns, cuts or bruises). Some CRPS cases have been the result of surgical procedures, poorly placed injections and errors when administering an IV (infiltration). Doctors believe that such events may cause a hyper sensitivity within nerves in the injured area, spreading to nearby areas and eventually exciting the entire nervous system.

Blood vessels in the affected limb may expand or leak fluid causing red and swollen tissue or over constrict causing a lack of oxygen to the tissue and leaving a bluish appearance. CRPS can also affect the immune system by increasing the levels of cytokines, which are inflammatory chemicals creating the swelling, heat and redness in the limb. This can cause people with other autoimmune diseases more prone to CRPS.

It's not well-understood why these injuries can trigger complex regional pain syndrome. Not everyone who has such an injury will go on to develop complex regional pain syndrome. It might be due to a dysfunctional interaction between your central and peripheral nervous systems and inappropriate inflammatory responses. However, If CRPS is not detected immediately it can lead to permanent pain and disability so rapid diagnosis is crucial.

What Are the Symptoms of CRPS?

The most prominent symptom of chronic regional pain syndrome is prolonged severe pain in the affected limb that may be constant, also known as causalgia. It has been described as burning, pins and needles or constant constriction of the limb.The pain may be local to the injury site or spread to the entire limb, sometimes reaching the other limb in severe cases. Another symptom is allodynia, a sensitivity to the affected area which can make touching the affected area painful.

Symptoms also include changes in skin temperature, skin color, or swelling of the affected limb. This is due to abnormal microcirculation caused by damage to the nerves that regulate blood flow and temperature. As a result, an affected arm or leg may feel warmer or cooler compared to the opposite limb. The skin on the affected limb may change color, becoming blotchy, blue, purple, pale, or red.

Some Other Symptoms of CRPS Include:

  • Changes in skin texture on the affected area; it may appear shiny and thin
  • Abnormal sweating pattern in the affected area or surrounding areas
  • Changes in nail and hair growth patterns
  • Stiffness in affected joints
  • Problems coordinating muscle movement, with decreased ability to move the affected body part
  • Abnormal movement in the affected limb, most often fixed abnormal posture (called dystonia) but also tremors in or jerking of the limb.
  • Swelling and temperature differences in the affected areas

Additional Information About CRPS:

  • CRPS can be caused by simple sprains, or broken bones
  • CRPS causes the nerves to send painful messages in an unbroken continuous circuit of pain that will not go away
  • CRPS pain is unbearable, feeling like one’s extremities are on fire
  • CRPS symptoms usually are caused by hypersenstivity. even a breeze or light touch is painful
  • Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome include swelling and temperature differences
  • Some doctors recommend that their patients be put into a coma to reset their nervous system
  • CRPS almost always interferes with all activities and work that the person was formerly able to do
  • Heavy medication and psychotherapy is required to deal with CRPS pain
  • CRPS victims sometimes get relief from spinal stimulators, but there is no guarantee
  • Most CRPS patients receive physical therapy, but many times this makes the problem worse, especially if the provider does not deal with CRPS
  • CRPS patients commonly say they want to get the affected limbs cut off because the pain is so bad
  • Pain experts rate CRPS pain higher than even child birth and amputation injuries

How is CRPS Diagnosed?

Diagnosis can be determined based on past medical history, and signs and symptoms. There is no definitive test currently that can detect CRPS alone.Sympathetic nervous system tests, MRI or triple-phase bone scans may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis but is not the only deciding factor. It is important to visit your doctor immediately following your symptoms as most people improve over time. This can cause difficulty making a diagnosis later on.

How is CRPS Treated?

There is no cure currently for CRPS but your doctor can help prescribe a treatment plan specifically for your needs. Possible treatment options include:

  • Over the counter or prescription pain relievers
  • Corticosteroids
  • Bone loss medication
  • Sympathetic nerve blocking medication
  • Intravenous ketamine
  • Heat therapy
  • Topical analgesics
  • Physical therapy
  • Mirror therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • Biofeedback
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Intrathecal drug pumps
  • Surgical sympathectomy

Do I Have a CRPS Lawsuit?

If you have a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS following an accident you may have a CRPS lawsuit. Some examples of an RSD/CRPS lawsuit are:

  • If you were injured in an accident that caused CRPS
  • If you underwent an unnecessary surgery that resulted in CRPS
  • If an injection was given in the wrong place or an IV infiltration went unnoticed for too long

CRPS Personal Injury Claims

Each case is dependant on many factors to determine how much your case is worth. Different factors include the severity of CRPS, the state laws surrounding malpractice or injury cases (certain states have caps on awarded money for injury or medical malpractice cases), and how significant the economic damages are.

How Do Your CRPS Lawyers Get Paid?

Our CRPS attorneys work on a contingent-fee basis so we don’t get paid unless we win your case!

Work With a Texas Attorney That Has CRPS Lawsuit Experience

Houston injury lawyer Joe Stephens is recognized as an experienced complex regional pain syndrome lawyers in America. He has two board certifications and is consistently chosen as a Texas Super Lawyer. He has tried 100’s of cases, including several CRPS cases. He understands the problems that his clients face, and can help them deal with the issues a CRPS victim faces in the best way possible. He also knows some of the America’s best CRPS medical specialists, and can help his clients get the best medical care. Sometimes, this care results in lasting benefits in helping clients manage the pain and impairment associated with these injuries. Please call our office today and he will discuss your case for FREE. The cost of his representation is FREE and you only owe money out of any recovery. If there is no recovery or settlement you owe nothing.

Additional CRPS Information

Each case of CRPS is different but most cases are serious and very painful.

There are 3 stages of CRPS. Stage 1 lasts about 1-3 months and consists of:

  • Severe burning or aching that can be exacerbated by a light touch or breeze
  • Fluctuations on skin temperature from hot to cold
  • Increased growth of hair and nails
  • Muscle spasms and joint pain
  • Increased sweating
  • Changes in skin color, appearance and texture

Stage 2 is between 3and 6 months with an increase of symptoms of stage 1. Nails may become brittle and cracked while joints stiffen and muscles weaken. If it progresses to stage 3 without treatment, the limb may be too painful to move and possible irreparable damage.

There is no cure currently for CRPS but there are many treatments that can be given to help with the symptoms presented.

Yes, CRPS affect the central and peripheral nervous systems along with their neurological processes.

Anyone can get CRPS, however, it is most commonly seen in people ages 20-35. It is rare for babies, children and the elderly to develop CRPS. It is also found that CRPS is more common in women than men.

CRPS is measured on the McGill Pain index as the highest rated form of pain, rating higher that amputation of a digit, childbirth and chronic back pain.

Symptoms of CRPS spreading consists of the pain radiating to the opposite limb, the limb becoming cold and pale, muscle spasms, and tightening. Once this occurs, the condition is often irreversible.

Each case will be different, however, it is common for a CRPS case to take a few years.