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RSD Syndrome

RSD syndrome is a painful, little understood condition that affects 200,000 to 1.2 million Americans. While some patients experience it as a minor inconvenience, for others it is debilitating and severely affects quality of life.

  1. What Is RSD?

    • RSD is a neurological disorder. It is now known as Type I complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

    Symptoms

    • The primary symptom of RSD is chronic burning pain which worsens with time. Other symptoms include excessive sweating, swelling, restricted range of motion, sensitivity to touch and blotchy, red skin.

    Causes

    • Type I CRPS seems to be triggered by trauma that injures the tissue but does not affect the nerve. Type II CRPS, in contrast, is triggered by a severe injury that affects both tissue and nerve.

    Mystery

    • While RSD or CRPS occurs in response to trauma, sometimes it develops without any apparent injury. Doctors do not know what happens in the body to cause the symptoms of CRPS to arise.

    Diagnosis

    • There is no specific test for RSD. Your doctor will diagnose it by evaluating your history and symptoms and ruling out other possible conditions.

    Treatment

    • Physical therapy is the treatment of choice for RSD. Certain medications also help, and surgery may be an option.

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