Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Dog Bite Injuries
No one really knows your pain except you. Other people can look at your injuries and guess how much or how little pain such an injury would cause. If your injury does not look especially impressive but is very painful, people might even accuse you of exaggerating your symptoms. When your family and friends do not believe you about your pain, it is annoying and frustrating. The real problem is when your employer does not believe you and refuses to make accommodations so that you can work while you recover from your injury or take a leave of absence from work. Likewise, if you file a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove that you are experiencing significant symptoms and that the defendant’s negligence is the cause of your injuries. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is when an injured arm or leg hurts more than it looks like it should, based on clinical examination and diagnostic images of the injury. Traumatic injuries such as dog bites are the main cause of CRPS. If you are suffering from CRPS or another chronic pain condition because of a dog bite injury, contact an Atlanta dog bite lawyer.
Causes and Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an injury to one or more nerves in an arm, leg, hand, or foot. It is caused by a traumatic injury to the affected body part. Nerves heal very slowly, so even after the bones, ligaments, and muscles have healed, you might still experience pain and other symptoms, due to the nerve damage. These are some common symptoms of CRPS:
- Chronic pain in the injured body part, which can be more severe than the acute injury would suggest
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in areas controlled by the affected nerve
- Changes in the color, texture, or temperature of the skin of the affected body part
- Changes in the growth of the hair or nails of the affected body part
- Increased or decreased sweat production in the affected area of the body
Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
The only cure for CRPS is to give the affected nerves a chance to heal, which they eventually do. Treatment focuses on the management of symptoms. Your doctor might recommend physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medications, or prescription drugs to reduce swelling. Surgery is not recommended as a treatment for CRPS, as it is not effective against it.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Your Dog Bite Injury Case
CRPS often interferes with people’s ability to work. If you were diagnosed with CRPS as a result of a dog bite, you have the right to seek damages in a personal injury lawsuit. These damages can include not only your medical bills, but also any income you lost if you had to take an unpaid leave of absence from work as a result of your injuries.
Contact Zagoria Law About Dog Bite Cases
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you if you are suffering from chronic pain because of a dog bite. Contact Zagoria Law in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss your case.
Source:
ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/complex-regional-pain-syndrome
