Social Security Benefits for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronically painful neurological condition. The syndrome is characterized by severe pain mostly to the extremities or neck that intensifies with time. The pain could start in a foot or hand but with time, the pain will spreads to cover the whole leg or arm. Doctors believe that the disorder triggered by an anomalous immune response or an abnormal or overactive reaction of the sympathetic nervous system that affects blood vessels and skin. RSDS causes nerves to misfire continuously sending repeated, excruciating, and intensifying pain signals to the brain.

Are you or someone you know suffering from CRPS and need more information on Social Security Benefits for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy? Contact the New Jersey Social Security Disability Attorneys at the law office of Kazmierczak for professional advice!

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy may be set off by a severe traumatic event such as stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, brain disorder, bone fracture, surgery, degenerative arthritis, shingles, or carpal tunnel syndrome. In some cases, the symptom is triggered by medication for tuberculosis or minor injuries such a small cut or hematoma. Yet in other people, there seems to be no catalyst for the onset.

Some of the symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy include:

Intense swelling
Excessive sweating
Pathological changes in bone
Heightened sensitivity to touch
Severe and intense burning pain
Tenderness, soreness, or aching pain
Temperature changes in the skin between warm and cool
Flushing, discoloration, moisture changes, and glossy skin

There are two types of CRPS:

Type I - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Sudeck’s Atrophy is typically identified by extreme incessant pain that is disproportionate to the injury and abnormal stimulation of the sweat glands around the region of the pain. The buildup of excess serous fluid between tissue cells and changes in skin blood flow that cause changes in the temperature and color of the skin around the affected area is another symptom of RSDS.
Type II - Causalgia is a more severe form of RSDS and usually occurs after a traumatic injury or major nerve damage has occurred. This is an exaggerated response of the nervous system to an injury with an astonishing amount of intense pain. The damaged tissue is also disproportionately sensitive to pain that increases with time. The pain can seem to affect unaffected nerves or appear to spread to neighboring nerves. This type will also show signs of abnormal changes in blood flow causing changes in the temperature and color of the skin.