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What is RSD? A Definition

"RSD is a descriptive term meaning a complex disorder or group of disorders that may develop as a consequence of trauma affecting the limbs, with or without an obvious nerve lesion. RSD may also develop after visceral diseases, and central nervous system lesions, or, rarely, without an obvious antecedent event. It consists of pain and related sensory abnormalities, abnormal blood flow and sweating, abnormalities in the motor system and changes in structure of both superficial and deep tissues ("trophic" changes). It is not necessary that all components are present. It is agreed that the name "reflex sympathetic dystrophy" is used in a descriptive sense and does not imply specific underlying mechanisms."
Janig W, Blumberg H, Boas RA, et.al: The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome: consensus statement and general recommendations for diagnosis and clinical research. In Bond MR, Charleton JE and Woolf CJ (eds): Proceedings of the VIth World Congress on Pain. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991, pp 373-376.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a syndrome of diffuse limb pain often burning in character and usually occurring after an injury or noxious stimulus. RSD is most often found in the hand and shoulder or in the knee and ankle but can be present in any limb. The affected area undergoes various sensory, motor, autonomic or trophic changes.

RSD is thought of as prolonging the normal sympathetic response to injury. In other words, the sympathetic nervous system over fires. RSD is more likely to occur after relatively minor injuries, than after major injuries. In fact, most people with RSD have suffered from some kind of localized tissue damage, which causes a reflex response from the sympathetic nervous system (that is pain or other sensations). So RSD can occur from an accident, from a response to surgery, from diseases such as visceral diseases, neurologic diseases, infections, vascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and tumors, and it can also occur from unknown origins.

RSD is believed to occur in three stages, each with a distinct set of symptoms and characteristics. While there is some debate about when each stage engages, most evidence indicates that the earlier RSD is diagnosed and treated, the higher the chances are for reversal.

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This page was last updated on January 24, 1997.

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