By Chris Sharry on September 9th, 2024 in Disability, Social Security Disability
Those who suffer from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) want to know if they can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder defined by the presence of distinct clinical features, including allodynia, hyperalgesia, sudomotor and vasomotor abnormalities, and trophic changes. The pain experienced is disproportionate to the degree of tissue injury and persists beyond the normal expected time for tissue healing. The pathophysiology is multifactorial and involves pain dysregulation in the sympathetic and central nervous systems, with likely genetic, inflammatory, and psychological contributions.
Complex regional pain syndrome is a broad term that covers long-lasting pain and inflammation that can happen after an injury or a medical event, such as surgery, trauma, stroke, or heart attack. Although complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can occur anywhere in the body, it usually affects a person’s arm, leg, hand, or foot. CRPS is usually triggered by trauma or injury to the affected limb or other body part. CRPS can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting longer than three months).
Social Security Ruling (SSR) 03-2p specifically notes that Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSDS) and CRPS can be established in the presence of “persistent complaints of pain that are typically out of proportion to the severity of any documented precipitant.” Chronic pain that many of the medications prescribed to treat it may affect an individual’s ability to maintain attention and concentration, as well as adversely affect his or her cognition, mood, and behavior, and may even reduce motor reaction times.
Types of CRPS
CRPS has two subtypes: type I, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and type II, formerly known as causalgia. Type I occurs in the absence of nerve trauma, while type II occurs in the setting of known nerve trauma. Clinically they are indistinguishable and follow a regional rather than a dermatomal or peripheral nerve distribution and favor the distal extremities, though spread outside of the initially affected area commonly occurs to the proximal or contralateral limb. CRPS is further subdivided into “warm” versus “cold,” and sympathetically-maintained (SMP) versus sympathetically-independent (SIP), which may affect prognosis and treatment options.
CRPS not only impacts function, sleep, and activities of daily living but also takes a significant mental and psychosocial toll on the patient. Its diverse spectrum of clinical presentation and lack of any clearly defined pathophysiology poses a challenge for optimal management of this disorder.
The symptoms of CRPS may include:
- burning pain in the arm, hand, leg or foot
- pain that changes in intensity, but often feels much worse than may be expected
- loss of fine motor control
- tremors or spasms
- stiffness
- changes to the skin, hair and nails on the affected limb
- the affected limb is warmer or colder than the unaffected limb
- the affected limb is sweatier or drier than the unaffected limb.
How is complex regional pain syndrome treated?
This syndrome has no cure. But sometimes the symptoms get better or stop on their own. Some evidence suggests early treatment, particularly with physical therapy, can help limit the disease. But this has not yet been proven in studies.
Treatment focuses on easing the pain. It may include:
- Pain medicines
- Antidepressants
- Antiseizure medicines
- Oral steroid medicines
- Sympathetic nerve blocks
- Physical therapy
- Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord or certain nerves
To qualify for SSDI, applicants must have a medically determinable impairment that prevents them from working or engaging in substantial gainful activity for 12 months or longer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers earning over a certain monthly amount substantial gainful activity.
Please call our office for a free case evaluation and to speak with Attorney Christopher Sharry about your Social Security Disability Case.
