Pain Management Expert Discusses Complex Regional Pain Syndrome After Workplace Accident

This case involves a male patient who allegedly developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome following an accident at work. At the time of the incident in question, the man was employed in a large shipping and receiving center, where he was responsible for loading and unloading trucks. During a routine delivery, the patient was injured by a co-worker, who ran over the Plaintiff’s foot with a fully-loaded pallet jack.

After experiencing ongoing pain, the Plaintiff presented to the emergency room, where he was discharged after undergoing a routine physical examination. Over the next few days, the Plaintiff began to notice the pain radiating further and further up his leg. The Plaintiff’s pain continued to progress over the course of the next few weeks, eventually encompassing his entire leg and back. Despite months of physical therapy and radiofrequency ablation to reduce the Plaintiff’s pain, none were successful. The Plaintiff is now unable to work and is responsible for mounting medical expenses.

Questions to the Anesthesiology expert and their responses

Do you have experience treating patients with similar symptoms?

I have treated patients with lower extremity CRPS. In my office, all patients need to have the source of pain diagnosed prior to any form of treatment.

What would be a typical course of pain management for patients with similar injuries?

In patients who have failed traditional therapy, temperature gradient monitoring or a bone scan would be recommended. I would also consider getting an electromyography (EMG) or NCV: an objective diagnosis is imperative in pain management. It is also possible that this patient may have a different source of pain that needs to be explored. Based on the summary provided, I am not entirely sure the patient has CRPS, but it is certainly a possibility. Whenever the source of pain is found, treated patients tend to improve.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management. He completed his internship at Beth Israel Deaconess and his residency training at University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of multiple prestigious societies such as American Society of Anesthesiologists and International Spine Intervention Society. He has received multiple awards for his patient care and compassion. He has published 11 peer-review articles, abstracts, book chapters, and letters on pain management. He is the former director of pain management for Medicos Pain and Surgical Specialists in CA. He is currently a pain management specialist at a private pain management center in IL.

E-015250

Specialties:

Anesthesiology