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RSD Pain

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a neurological condition which usually affects the muscles, joints and bones of arms and legs. Also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), RSD is chronic, painful and progressive.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of RSD include burning pain, skin which is sensitive to touch, joint pain, swelling, infections, excessive sweating, migraines, fatigue and difficulty moving.

    Causes and Risks

    • Causes and risks of RSD include cerebral lesions, infection, surgery, radiation therapy, trauma such as a bone fracture, spinal cord disorders and heart disease.

    Types and Prevalence

    • There are two types of RSD. One type occurs with nerve damage and one type occurs without nerve damage. RSD affects men, women and children, but is most commonly seen in people the ages of 40 and 60.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for RSD works best when the condition is diagnoses in its early stages. Treatment includes medicines to relieve pain such as lidocaine and corticosteroids, electrical stimulation to treat chronic pain, medicines to reduce muscle spasms, and in severe RSD cases, surgery.

    Complications

    • Complications associated with RSD include depression, anxiety, and atrophy or wasting of bones, muscles and skin.

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