What to expect during a doctor’s visit
When diagnosing RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) / CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), doctors do a physical exam and also look at your medical history. Did you have an accident that injured your arms, hands, legs or feet? Are you suffering from extreme pain, swelling or changes in skin color or temperature in these bodily areas? Such pain is an abnormal response to trauma that some people experience. It often happens after a soft tissue injury, sprain, fracture or surgical or medical procedure.
Diagnosing RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) / CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors often use the following procedures when diagnosing CRPS:
- Bone scan. Injecting a radioactive substance into one of your veins enables a doctor to examine your bones. They use a special camera to detect bone changes.
- X-rays. Mineral loss is a later stage of CRPS, and it may show up in an x-ray.
- Sweat production tests. Uneven sweating may be an indication of CRPS.
- MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging). Tissue changes show up in an MRI. Doctors can use it to discount other medical conditions.
Getting ready for your medical examination
Your doctor will ask you questions about your life and the symptoms you are experiencing. You can consider how you would answer the following questions:
- Have you experienced a recent accident, illness or injury that involved trauma to your limbs?
- Recently, have you had a heart attack or infection?
- Did you recently have surgery?
- At what point did you first feel pain or burning sensations?
- How long have your symptoms lasted?
- Is your pain ongoing or sporadic?
- Did you ever experience anything like this with past injuries?
- Have you noticed anything that worsens or improves your symptoms?
Questions you can ask your doctor
The following are questions you might want to ask your medical practitioner:
- What do you think is causing my symptoms?
- Do you think this condition is temporary or chronic?
- What treatments are available that you would recommend?
- Are there generic alternatives for the medicine you would prescribe?
- How can I manage this with the other medical conditions I have?
If your doctor diagnoses you with RSD or CRPS, there are treatments you can receive that can improve the symptoms.
Legal help to deal with medical expenses
If an accident resulted in RSD/CRPS and you believe someone else was at fault for the accident, you should seek legal advice. An attorney can help you determine fault and decide whether grounds exist to pursue a lawsuit. An accident claim can help you receive compensation to cover medical expenses. The Law Office of John Fazzini offers free initial consultations. Our fees are part of the compensation recovered, but only if we win or settle the case.