Hospitals in the San Francisco That Treat CRPS and RSD

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disorder of the nervous system that results in chronic, debilitating pain and other symptoms that are difficult to live with. There is another category of CRPS known as RSD, or regional sympathetic dystrophy, which is a form of chronic pain that is not accompanied by a nerve injury. This is the main difference between RSD and CRPS, which is important when it comes to treating the condition and finding the most effective treatment for the patient.

Due to the complex nature of CRPS and how little is known about it, many people need specialized help outside of what they can get from their primary physician. If you are a San Francisco resident who is struggling with the pain, swelling, muscle spasms and other symptoms that won’t go away, you may find relief by seeing a doctor that treats nervous system disorders. There are many facilities in and around San Francisco to choose from, which we will go over in this article.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Symptoms of CRPS and RSD

Both CRPS and RSD affect the nervous system, which causes malfunctions in the immune system. Knowledge about chronic pain disorders is limited, and there is no cure for those who are afflicted with complex regional pain syndrome. That means treatment can only minimize the pain and other debilitating effects, but you may have to live with the condition for the rest of your life. People who are diagnosed with CRPS may have some of all the symptoms listed below:

• Chronic pain and inflammation in the afflicted area (typically in one of the arms or legs)

• Muscle spasms that impact your mobility

• Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia due to changes in your sleep patterns.

• Cognitive impairments, like mental confusion and short-term memory loss

• Joint stiffness that leads to decreased mobility in the area that’s affected by CRPS

• CRPS that spreads to another part of the body, like spreading to the other arm or leg

Diagnosing a Patient with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

At the end of the day, CRPS remains a bit of a mystery in terms of how it starts and why some people are more prone to it than others. We do know that the condition is triggered by an immune response when there is significant trauma, like an injury from a car crash. But research in recent years has shown that CRPS can also occur after a stroke or heart attack.

Studies have also indicated that complex regional pain syndrome is most common among individuals between 40 to 60 years old. However, this is a nervous system disorder, so in reality, anyone can end up with CRPS after an accident or illness.

Once it’s determined that you have complex regional pain syndrome, your condition will be classified as one of the following:

• CRPS Type I: a form of CRPS that typically affects the arms and legs. The condition is commonly associated with injuries like broken bones and fractures, burns, and sprains. Most patients are diagnosed with CRPS Type 1.
• CRPS Type II: the trauma has caused damage to a specific nerve, which is a very significant injury. This form of CRPS is less common, and around 10% of all CRPS patients are diagnosed as Type II.

There is no disputing that early treatment improves a patient’s chances of recovery and managing the condition on a day to day basis. Unfortunately, CRPS is often misdiagnosed, as the symptoms can vary from one patient to another, and the condition may be mistaken for something else altogether. If you suspect you have complex regional pain syndrome, it’s essential to seek help from a medical facility that is known for treating nervous system disorders.

San Francisco Medical Providers that Offer Treatments for CRPS and RSD

As we mentioned previously, early intervention from the right medical center is the key to living with complex regional pain syndrome or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Though you may always have flare ups and on-going symptoms, many people live productive and active lives if they receive consistent treatment. This is why you should speak with a healthcare provider that specializes in CRPS and similar disorders, which you can find quite easily in the San Francisco area. Doctors and medical centers that may be of help to you include:

• David King-Stephens, M.D.

• Dr. Joy S. Meng, MD

• Gary A. Belaga, MD

• Nobl Barazangi, M.D., PhD

• Marina Kasavin, M.D., PhD

• Mc Cormack Bruce M MD

• San Francisco Clinical Research: Goldstein Jerome MD

• Jonathan S. Katz, M.D.

• Charlene Chen, MD

• Rachman Chung, DC, DACNB

• Alireza Atri, M.D.

• Richard Cueno, M.D.

• Dr. Joey English

• Carlos Quintana, MD

• Jonathan Strober, M.D.

• Peter Goadsby, M.B.B.S.

• UCSF Neurology Clinic

• Estrin William J MD

• Dr. Richard W. Price, MD

• UCSF Memory and Aging Center

• Ari Green, M.D.

• Dr.Rima Ash

• Anderson Wayne E DO

• Bright Minds Institute

• Jessica Litwin, M.D.

• Morris Levin, M.D.

• Donna Ferriero, M.D.

• Miranda Fernando G MD

• Marta San Luciano, M.D.

• Dr. Chi-Chen Mao, MD

• Tran Thanh K MD

• UCSF Pediatric Neurology

• Dr. Melanie A. Lising

• Dr. Dena B. Dubai, MD

• Dr. Marilyn M. Robertson

• UCSF Brain and Spinal Injury

• Fox Kenneth MD

• Chein Chau-Chun MD

• Cynthia Campen, MD

• VA Medical Center-San Francisco

• Strassberg Mark H MD

• Marcus Jacqueline MD

• Dr. Lennart Mucke

• Neurology Department: Longo Frank MD

• Dr. Kenneth A. Fox, MD

• Dr. Howard Belfer, MD

• Center for Pain Management: Robertson Marilyn, MD

• Hemphill J Claude, MD

• Cokgor Ilkcan MD

• UCSF Headache Center

• Dr. William A. Weiss, MD

• Diagnostic Neurology Associates

• Dr. Dawn Mcguire, MD

• Dr. Thomas Browne-Neurenics

• Dukhovny Irina, MD

A physician specializing in neurology is a good option if you are looking for a way to manage the day-to-day pain and other symptoms caused by CRPS. However, there are different approaches to treating the condition, which is why there is such a wide variety of professionals that you can look into. The important thing is to seek medical attention sooner than later. If you ended up with chronic pain from injuries that were caused by someone’s reckless or negligent conduct, you should also obtain legal advice from a personal injury attorney.

Be Mindful of the Deadline for a Lawsuit

Generally, accident victims have 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. The statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident for most claimants, so it’s essential that you take action right away if you suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence. Please be aware that if you are past the window of 2 years, it’s highly unlikely that the court system will allow you to continue with a lawsuit. With that in mind, give us a call and talk to a lawyer who can help you sue for CRPS or RDS resulting from an accident.

The Personal Injury Lawyers of Normandie

As someone living with the effects of CRPS, you may be eligible for monetary compensation if you were harmed in an accident that was caused by another party. However, moving forward with a legal action can be very difficult for the average victim, so it’s best to seek representation from a personal injury attorney.

Here at Normandie, we have a dedicated team of lawyers with a proven track record of recovered settlements. We are more than ready to fight for your interests and do it for $0 upfront. As one of our valued clients, you are protected by the Zero Fee Guarantee from the moment you contact us. That means you will never pay out of pocket to hire an attorney that specializes in chronic pain disorders. Attorney’s fees get deducted as a percentage of your settlement, so either we get paid by winning your case, or we make nothing at all.

Please reach out to us at your earliest opportunity and schedule a free consultation. We look forward to advising you of our rights and being a part of your journey to recovery.