Failure to Diagnose RSD

Misdiagnosed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

The severe and chronic pain of RSD affects hundereds of thousands of Americans each year. Most patients and care providers are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of RSD.

With no single test available to diagnose this malfunction of the nervous system, RSD is often misdiagnosed or the symptoms missed altogether. According to the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, "people with CRPS report seeing an average of five physicians before being accurately diagnosed.¹"

What is RSD?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a chronic neurological problem characterized by symptoms such as severe burning pain, swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. Usually pain is in the arms, hands, feet or legs.

RSD results from a malfunction in the nervous system; the body identifies an event as truamatic and begins misfiring pain signals to the brain. The event causing this malfunction may be an obvious physical trauma, such as a broken bone or surgery, or it may be harder to identify. Infection, nerve pressure, stroke, or heart attack can also be culprits behind RSD.

Also referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I (CRPS I), RSD is commonly misdiagnosed as nerve damage following an injury because the burning sensation associated with both problems is similar. Prompt treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy can be very important as loss of mobility can result in some untreated cases.

RSD Misdiagnosis Lawyer - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If your doctors failed to diagnose RSD, our misdiagnosis lawyers can help protect your rights and help you receive compensation for the damages you suffered. The medical malpractice attorneys at our Pittsburgh law office understand the complexities and intracacies of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Misdiagnosis can be frustrating and the long-term injuries resulting can be devestating.With any medical malpractice case, there are time limits to when you can sue, so contact us now to discuss your RSD case.

Footnotes

1. "About CRPS > Facts and Fiction." Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Assocation <http://www.rsds.org/2/fact_fiction/index.html>