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Chronic Pain Caused by CRPS after Foot and Ankle Surgeries<\/h1>\n
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Were you left dealing with chronic pain after foot surgery or after ankle surgery? If you experienced chronic pain after foot fusion surgery or after ankle fusion surgery, it is possible that something went wrong during your procedure \u2013 leading to your chronic pain. If your surgeon made a mistake during your surgery and caused a nerve injury, for example, your CRPS might be a direct result of medical malpractice.<\/p>\n

If you would like to explore the possibility of pursuing a medical malpractice CRPS claim against your doctor, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm as soon as possible. The lawyers at Downtown L.A. Law Group are ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with the guidance that you need to sue and recover the compensation that you deserve. If you would like to explore the possibility of pursuing a claim against your surgeon, do not hesitate to contact our firm today.<\/p>\nWhat is CRPS?<\/span>\n

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that results in chronic pain that can be disabling and debilitating. There are two types of CRPS \u2013 Type I and Type II. CRPS Type I occurs after soft tissue injuries, such as fractures, burns, stains, and sprains, as well as after minor nerve injuries. On the contrary, CRPS Type II occurs after major nerve injuries. CRPS Type II is often referred to as Causalgia, although it was formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).<\/p>\n

CRPS causes chronic pain affecting the skin, the muscles, the joints, and the bones; it can be constant or intermittent, at it is often described as a burning pain. It is usually associated with the limbs, although it can spread to other parts of the body. As the condition worsens, the pain increases and simply becomes more unbearable.<\/p>\nFoot Fusion Surgery<\/span>\n

Foot fusion is a procedure performed primarily to treat severe cases of arthritis in the foot. The purpose of the procedure is to permanently join or stiffen the joint between the bones with arthritis. The procedure could also be used to treat flat feet, rheumatoid arthritis, and injuries. During the procedure, the medical professional makes one or two incisions in the foot, removes the damaged joint, and positions the bones to be held together by plates and screws. Over time, the bone heals and fuses over the joint. Typically, only a one-night hospital stay is required after the surgery. The patient will need to keep his or her weight off the foot for many weeks to ensure the fusion<\/a> is successful. It can be up to six months until recovery is complete.<\/p>\nAnkle Fusion Surgery<\/span>\n

Ankle fusion is a procedure performed to treat severe cases of ankle arthritis. The goal of ankle fusion surgery is to permanently fuse the ankle joint so that it cannot bend. Medical professionals remove cartilage and create level bone surfaces both at the top and bottom of the ankle joint. Then, the bones are aligned in the position for fusion. Metal implants, which are normally large screws are drilled into the bones to keep it in the fusion position.<\/p>\n

After a procedure, patients are typically required to stay one night in the hospital. They are put in a cast and must use crutches or a walker to remain off the affected ankle. This is necessary to allow the \u201cnew bone\u201d to heal across the fused joint. Complete healing can take up to six months.<\/p><\/div>\n

CRPS as a Result of Ankle and Foot Surgeries<\/span>\n

A study conducted by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in 2014 determined that CRPS, although uncommon in orthopedic surgery, is a possible complication. The study consisted of 390 patients who underwent foot and\/or ankle surgery in 2009. Of the 390 patients, only 17 (roughly 4%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of CRPS. Approximately 12 of the patients developed CRPS after just one procedure, while 5 developed CRPS after multiple procedures. At least 3 patients suffered nerve damage during the procedure<\/a> and suffered CRPS Type II.<\/p>\n

Although the development of CRPS is unlikely, it remains a possibility. In some cases, the development of CRPS is unclear. However, when the CRPS develops as a result of a nerve injury that occurred during the surgical<\/a> procedure (i.e. a surgical error), the cause is clear and liable parties should be held accountable. If you would like to learn more about the likelihood of suffering CRPS after ankle and foot fusion surgeries, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our firm today.<\/p>\nUnderstanding Medical Malpractice and Liability for CRPS<\/span>\n

As mentioned above, CRPS can be a direct result of a surgical error. When that is the case, the development of CRPS can be attributed to medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional makes a mistake during a procedure that ultimately harms a patient. It is important to understand that all medical professionals owe their patients a specific duty of care; they must exercise care, skill, and diligence when treating their patients. When medical professionals act without carelessly, recklessly, and without regard for the safety of their patients, they could make errors that could harm their patients and contribute to avoidable complications.<\/p>\n

When a medical professional, such as a surgeon, is negligent and contributes to a preventable injury during a procedure, the medical professional could be found guilty of medical malpractice. What does this mean? If the harm that you suffered occurred as a result<\/a> of medical malpractice or medical negligence, the medical professional that caused your injury could be liable. This means that you and your family might have grounds to sue for the harm that you suffered. For more information about medical malpractice and liability, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately.<\/p>\nCould You Sue?<\/span>\n

Do you have the right to sue if medical negligence directly contributed to your CRPS diagnosis? If the harm that you suffered was a direct result<\/a> of medical malpractice, you might have grounds to sue. Your right to sue is based on a simple fact \u2013<\/a> your surgeon owed you a duty of care that was ultimately breached. You have the right to sue because you were harmed as a direct result of a breached duty of care. If you would like to learn more about your right to sue for the CRPS that you suffered after a foot or ankle fusion surgery, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our law firm at your earliest convenience.<\/p><\/div>\n

\nCould You Recover Monetary Compensation?<\/span>\n

If you can sue, could you also be eligible to recover monetary compensation for the harm that you suffered? How much compensation could you be eligible to receive? What type of compensation could you be awarded? Depending on the details surrounding your claim, you might be eligible to recover monetary compensation for harm that you suffered.<\/p>\n

Some of the types of compensation that are often available for recovery could include the following:<\/p>\n