Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a medical disorder in which pain and inflammation persist after an injury. Individuals with CRPS feel the pain that seems out of proportion to the earlier injury, such as severe pain with a gentle touch to the affected region. Click over here to learn more about SSDI benefits.
Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome a disability?
CRPS normally improves with time and finally disappears, but severe cases can be debilitating. A CRPS diagnosis alone will not qualify you for disability payments. However, suppose you have moderate to severe restrictions that keep you from working for 12 months or longer and have adequate medical records. In that case, the Social Security Administration may grant you disability payments.
What are the symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Symptoms might change over time and from one person to another, but the following are common:
- Burning or throbbing sensations that persist, generally in the leg, arm, hand, or foot.
- Reduced mobility in the affected body area.
- Sensitivity to cold or touch.
- Muscular spasms, tremors, and weakness.
- Swelling in the affected area.
- Stiffness, edema, and injury to the joints.
- Skin temperature variations.
- Hair and nail growth changes.
- Skin texture and color changes.
If the symptoms are not treated, they may spread and worsen, resulting in long-term and often irreversible medical and psychological difficulties.
What causes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Most CRPS is caused by nerve damage or nervous system dysfunction, which transmits impulses from the brain and the spinal cord to the other areas of the human body (called the peripheral nervous system).
The exact cause of CRPS is unknown, but most cases occur after a limb injury that damages the thinnest sensory nerve fibers that transmit itch, pain, and temperature sensations and control the small blood vessels of the surrounding areas. Common injuries that result in CRPS include:
- Fractures
- Limb immobilization
- Surgery
- Cuts or burns
- Strains or sprains
How can you prove disability?
Your claim will be evaluated by Social Security based on medical data. When claiming that CRPS is a crippling medical illness, your medical records should span months or years and demonstrate continuing medical examination and treatment for your disease. Clinical notes (post-appointment notes) from your doctor might be immensely useful in proving your limiting medical condition.
Social Security may also send you for an independent assessment by one of their doctors or request that your doctor fill out a questionnaire describing your restrictions.
Your medical records must show complaints of chronic, acute pain producing restricted mobility of the affected body area for you to be qualified for disability for CRPS. Speak with an experienced SSDI attorney today for more information.
