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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People with**

**Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy**

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition described as a chronic pain occurring as a result of trauma to a soft tissue or bone (Type I) or nerve injury (Type II).  Type I CRPS is also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia.   A progressive disease of the nervous system, symptoms of pain and burning can affect one, two, three, or all for limbs.  In extreme cases other or all parts of the body may be affected.  Complications to the condition include depression, anxiety, and atrophy.

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for people with CRPS. For a more in depth discussion, access JAN's publications at http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm.  To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly.

**Activities of Daily Living:**

· Allow use of a personal attendant at work

· Allow use of a service animal at work

· Make sure the facility is accessible

· Move workstation closer to the restroom

· Allow longer breaks

· Refer to appropriate community services

· Provide access to a refrigerator

# Depression and Anxiety: 

# · Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise 

# · Provide sensitivity training to coworkers 

# · Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for support 

# · Provide information on counseling and employee assistance programs

· Allow time off for medical treatment

# Fatigue/Weakness:

· Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

· Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

· Allow a self-paced workload

· Provide parking close to the work-site and an accessible entrance 

· Install automatic door openers

· Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee 

· Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms

**Muscle Pain and Stiffness:**

· Implement ergonomic workstation design, i.e., ergonomic chair and adjustable workstation to alternate between sitting and standing

· Reduce repetitive tasks or interrupt the tasks with other duties

· Provide carts and lifting aids

· Modify work-site temperature and/or dress code 

· Use fan/air-conditioner or heater at the workstation

· Allow work from home during extremely hot or cold weather 

**Resources Specifically for People with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy**

**International Research Foundation for RSD/CRPS**c/o Julie A. Stann, Executive Director7612 Woodbridge Blvd****

Tampa, Florida 33615 Direct: (813)907-2312 http://www.rsdfoundation.org 

**Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America**

PO Box 502

Milford, CT 06460

Toll Free: (877)662-7737

Direct: (203)877-3790

info@rsds.org

http://www.rsds.org/

**RSDHope**PO Box 875 Harrison, ME 04040

http://www.rsdhope.org/ 

**RSD Online**

http://www.rsd-online.org/ 

Updated 3/23/10.

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Fact Sheet Series

Job Accommodations for People with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy