Assembly Resolution No. 343

BY: M. of A. Byrne

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
November 2019, as CRPS/RSD Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months and days that are set aside to increase awareness of
serious conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as
CRPS/RSD Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National CRPS/RSD Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder of
a portion of the body, usually starting in a limb, which manifests as
extreme pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and changes to the skin
and bone; and

WHEREAS, Generally following a musculoskeletal injury, a nerve
injury, surgery or immobilization, CRPS/RSD occurs when the nervous
system and the immune system malfunction as they respond to tissue
damage from trauma; the nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to
the brain; and

WHEREAS, The persistent pain and disability associated with CRPS/RSD
require coordinated, interdisciplinary, patient-centered care to achieve
pain reduction/cessation and better function; the level of pain
associated with this disorder is measured as one of the most severe on
the McGill University Pain Scale; and

WHEREAS, CRPS/RSD is classified as a rare disorder by the United
States Food and Drug Administration, however, up to 200,000 individuals
experience this condition in the United States, alone, in any given
year; and

WHEREAS, More common in females than males, the highest incidence of
CRPS/RSD occurs in females aged 60-70 years old; and

WHEREAS, Diagnosing CRPS/RSD is not a simple matter and many
patients search for months or years for a definitive diagnosis as there
is no specific test available; and

WHEREAS, Treatment of CRPS/RSD consist of a multidisciplinary
approach involving medications, physical and occupational therapy,
psychological treatments, and neuromodulation; despite this, the results
are often unsatisfactory, especially if treatment is delayed; and

WHEREAS, With less than two percent of health research dollars
invested in pain research, the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

Association (RSDSA) hosts Color the World Orange, an annual event held
on the first Monday of November to spread awareness of CRPS/RSD; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this devastating medical condition and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2019, as
CRPS/RSD Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.