Reflex sympathetic dystrophy ("RSD")

Regional pain syndrome

Pain syndrome resulting from trauma (accidental, criminal, surgical, ...) to the soft tissues of a limb.

Pain is usually burning in quality.  Patients may be hypersensitive to pain.  

May come on shortly after a partial nerve injury or may not be apparent for several months.  The nerves most commonly affected are the median, sciatic, tibial, and ulnar.

The pain may be worsened by light touch, stress, change in temperature, movement of the affected extremity, visual and/or auditory stimuli (noises, lights, etc.), and by emotional disturbances.

The associated symptoms include atrophy of the fingers (or toes) with changes in the bones, joints, and muscles.  The skin may be cool, red, and clammy with excessive sweating.  There may also be loss of movement and sensation in the portion of the extremity innervated by the affected nerve.  

In most patients the condition is chronic and permanent although spontaneous remission can occur.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy - pathophysiology

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy - diagnosis

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy - workup

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy - treatment

(compare: Sudeck's atrophy)

(compare: Causalgia)

Sympathectomy

Functional neurosurgery Specialty Center

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