Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a serious, chronic condition that often follows an injury and in Rijswijk regularly leads to complex personal injury cases due to uncertainty about the diagnosis.
What is CRPS?
CRPS is a condition in which chronic pain occurs that is disproportionate to the original injury. This pain can spread and is often accompanied by various other complaints.
Types of CRPS
| Type | Cause | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| CRPS type I (formerly Sudeck) | Arises after injury without nerve damage | Most common (approximately 90%) |
| CRPS type II (formerly causalgia) | Follows proven nerve damage | Has a more severe course |
Complaints and Symptoms
Overview of symptoms
- Pain: sharp, burning, disproportionate
- Sensory changes: extreme sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
- Vascular changes: differences in skin color and temperature
- Swelling: edema in the affected body part
- Sweating changes: abnormal perspiration pattern
- Movement problems: reduced strength and mobility
- Skin changes: abnormalities in skin, hair, or nails
How is CRPS diagnosed?
The diagnosis of CRPS is based on clinical guidelines, such as the Budapest criteria, often applied by specialists in the Rijswijk region.
Budapest diagnostic criteria
- Persistent pain that does not match the severity of the injury
- At least three of the four symptom categories reported by the patient
- At least two symptom categories objectively confirmed
- No other condition that can explain the complaints
Treatment methods for CRPS
Treating CRPS is a challenge and requires an integrated approach with multiple disciplines, also in the Rijswijk area.
Possible treatments
| Therapy | Objective | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy/occupational therapy | Maintaining function and reducing sensitivity | Crucial in treatment |
| Painkillers | Relief of pain complaints | Often limited effective |
| Sympathetic nervous system blockade | Breaking the pain spiral | Results vary |
| Spinal cord stimulation | Modulating pain signals | Suitable for specific cases |
| Psychological support | Coping with pain and acceptance | Indispensable in the process |
CRPS and Personal Injury in Rijswijk
In personal injury cases around Rijswijk, CRPS often leads to complicated discussions between parties.
Key discussion topics
Causal connection
Is CRPS a direct consequence of the accident? Insurers in Rijswijk sometimes dispute the link, especially with a late diagnosis or minor initial damage.
Diagnostics
Has the CRPS diagnosis been correctly established? Due to the lack of hard biomarkers, this often remains a point of debate.
Limitations
Which limitations can be attributed to CRPS? The subjective nature of pain complicates objective assessment.
Expert advice
For CRPS claims in Rijswijk, specialized expertise is indispensable. Recommended experts are:
- Rehabilitation physician with knowledge of CRPS
- Pain specialist/anesthesiologist
- Neurologist with relevant experience
Compensation for CRPS
The damage from CRPS can be significant due to the long-term impact of the condition, also for residents of Rijswijk.
Overview of damage items
| Damage item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Pain and suffering | €30,000 - €150,000 (depending on impact) |
| Loss of income | Often full in severe CRPS |
| Treatment costs | Long-term care and aids |
| Domestic assistance | Often permanently required |
| Loss of own activities | Activities such as DIY no longer feasible |
Advice for CRPS in Rijswijk
- Seek a specialist quickly for an accurate diagnosis
- Start a multidisciplinary treatment plan in time
- Document complaints and limitations carefully
- Record your situation before the accident well
- Engage a personal injury lawyer from Rijswijk with CRPS knowledge
- Do not agree to a settlement without expert advice
Contact and Help in Rijswijk
For legal support, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Rijswijk. Cases often fall under the Rechtbank Den Haag, the district under which Rijswijk falls.