INFORMATION ON REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition. Symptom of Complex regional pain syndrome is continuous, intense pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury, which gets worse rather than better over time. Complex regional pain syndrome most often affects one of the arms, legs, hands, or feet. Often the pain spreads to include the entire arm or leg. Typical features include dramatic changes in the color and temperature of the skin over the affected limb or body part, accompanied by intense burning pain, skin sensitivity, sweating, and swelling.
The International Association for the Study of Pain has divided Complex regional pain syndrome into two types based on the presence of nerve lesion following the injury. Type I, also known as Reflex sympathetic dystrophy or algoneurodystrophy, does not have demonstrable nerve lesions, while type II, also known as causalgia, has evidence of obvious nerve lesions.
SYNONYMS OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome,
Algodystrophy
Algoneurodystrophy
Causalgia Syndrome
Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy
Sudeck's Atrophy
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, Causalgia
CAUSES OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
The cause of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome is unknown it can occur as a result of injury to nerves, bones, joints, occasionally muscles, tendons or ligaments. Other may include:
- Repetitive motion disorder
- Spinal cord disorders
- Surgeries
- Traumas
- Infections
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Disorders of neck/lower back
- Thyroid disorders
- Lung diseases
- Stroke/heart attack
- Use of certain medications
SYMPTOMS OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
Some of main symptoms are:
Burning pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Skin color changes in red or bluish
Skin temperature changes in hot or cold
Pain is usually disproportionate to the degree of injury and can be triggered by using the affected limb or by stress.
Joint pain Heart disease, heart attack
Redness
Swelling
Frequent infections
DIAGNOSIS OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
Some diagnostic criteria shown below.
1 Thermography, sweat testing, x-rays, electro diagnostics, and sympathetic blocks can be used to build up a picture of the disorder.
2 Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that some patients improve without treatment.
3 Early recognition and prompt treatment provide the greatest opportunity for recovery.
4 Physical examination involves observing the skin color and temperature, swelling, and vascular reactivity; overgrown and grooved nails; swollen and stiff joints; muscle weakness and atrophy.
TREATMENT OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
There is no specific cure for Complex regional pain syndrome; treatment is aimed at relieving painful symptoms. Doctors may prescribe topical analgesics, antidepressants, corticosteroids, and opioids to relieve pain. Some other treatments may include physical therapy, sympathetic nerve block, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug pumps to deliver opioids and local anesthetic agents via the spinal cord.
Neurostimulation may also be surgically implanted to reduce the pain by directly stimulating the spinal cord.
Physical therapy is the most important part of treatment, though it should be noted that many patients are incapable of participating in physical therapy due to muscular and bone problems.
