What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Injuries sustained in a car accident can go far beyond bruises, soreness, and temporary discomfort. Some injuries even develop into serious, long-lasting conditions. For example, an often overlooked post-collision injury is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition that can affect a person’s daily life.
For individuals in Nashville who develop CRPS after a crash, recognizing the symptoms early and pursuing the financial support needed for proper treatment is essential. A Nashville personal injury lawyer can help ensure that this often-misunderstood condition is taken seriously.
When Does CRPS Occur?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm, leg, hand, or foot. CRPS usually develops after a traumatic injury, such as a fracture, soft tissue damage, or even a minor sprain, making it a risk after many types of car accidents.
CRPS is believed to be caused by dysfunction in the nervous system. Instead of healing normally, the affected nerves send constant or exaggerated pain signals to the brain. Even light touch or small movements can trigger severe discomfort.
Common symptoms include throbbing pain, extreme sensitivity to temperature, swelling in the affected limb, muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and shiny, thin, or abnormal skin texture. CRPS does not always appear immediately. For many people, the symptoms develop weeks or months later, making the condition easy to overlook or misdiagnose.
CRPS usually begins after an injury that seems minor, such as:
- Small fracture
- Soft tissue damage
- Wrist, ankle, or knee sprain
- Bruise or contusion
- Surgery related to the accident
- Prolonged immobilization
Even injuries that heal in a typical timeframe can trigger CRPS in susceptible individuals. Because the condition starts subtly and progresses gradually, accident survivors might not connect their worsening symptoms to the collision.
This delayed onset can create challenges in the legal process, making early documentation and medical evaluation essential.
Why Is CRPS Often Overlooked in Injury Claims?
Insurance companies sometimes dismiss CRPS as exaggerated pain or claim it is unrelated to the crash. Because there is no single test that definitively diagnoses the condition, so victims may struggle to demonstrate the true extent of their suffering.
However, CRPS is very real. Long-term impacts, such as an inability to work, needing ongoing physical therapy, reduced quality of life, and psychological distress have all been reported. These losses deserve full financial compensation.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is difficult to endure and even harder to explain to those who haven’t experienced it. But you deserve support, understanding, and financial resources to manage your condition and rebuild your life. If you’re dealing with CRPS or another injury after a Nashville car accident, speaking with a Nashville personal injury lawyer can be the first step toward securing the medical care and compensation you need for long-term healing.
Do you want to collect all the documentation you need to access a full and fair settlement? The lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC. are available to gather medical records, expert opinions, and evidence showing the connection between your crash and your health challenges. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.