WTF is RSD?

THE ORIGINS OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY-
excerpted from American RSDHope Website

RSDS has been documented since the Civil War under many different names. It was first studied by Dr. Weir Mitchell.

In October of 1864 the first dent in the armor of RSDS was made. Weir Mitchell and his associates G.R. Moorheouse and W.W. Keen published a book called “Gunshot Wounds and Other Injuries of Nerves”. we were fortunate to be able to procure a copy of this book.

This book contained the account of the symptoms and signs of peripheral nerve injuries as they had observed them in Unionist soldiers at Turners Alne Hospital for Nervous Diseases in Philadelphia. Their description is so classic and vivid that it deserves an abbreviated quotation here.

“In our early experience of nerve wounds, we met with a small number of men were suffering from a pain which they described as ‘burning‘ or as ‘mustard red-hot‘ or as ‘red-hot file rasping the skin‘ … The seat of burning pain is very various; but it never attacks the trunk, rarely the arm or thigh, and not often the forearm and leg.

It’s favored site is the foot or hand. In these parts it is to be found most often where the nutritive skin-changes are met with; … Its intensity varies from the most trivial burning to a state of torture, which can hardly be credited, but which reacts on the whole economy, until the general health is seriously affected.

The part itself is not alone subject to a deep burning sensation, but becomes exquisitely hyperesthectic, so that a touch or tap of the finger causes pain. Exposure to the air is avoided by the patient with a care which seems absurd, and most of the bad cases keep the hand constantly wet, finding relief in the moisture rather than the coolness of the application. ..

As the pain increases, the general sympathy becomes more marked. The temper changes and grows irritable, and the face becomes anxious, and has a look of weariness and suffering. The sleep is restless, and the constitutional condition, reacting on the wounded limb, exasperates the hyperestic state so that the rattling of a newspaper, a breath of air, the step of another across the ward, the vibrations caused by a military band, or the shock of the feet in walking, gives rise to an increase of pain.”

” Perhaps few persons who are not physicians can realize the influence which long continued and unendurable pain may have on both the body and mind. Under such torments the temper changes, the most amiable become irritable, the bravest soldier becomes a coward, and the strongest man is scarcely less nervous than the most hysterical girl.”

Three years later, Mitchell first used the term Causalgia (from the Greek kausis-burning and algos-pain). It was right on the money then, and still is today.
Source:
American RSDHope

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and other synonyms

  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system that is characterized by chronic, severe pain. The sympathetic nervous system is that part of the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary functions of the body such as increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and increasing blood pressure. Excessive or abnormal responses of portions of the sympathetic nervous system are thought to be responsible for the pain associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

    The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (syndrome) typically begin with burning pain, especially in an arm, finger(s), palm of the hand(s), and/or shoulder(s). In some individuals, RSDS may occur in one or both legs or it may be localized to one knee or hip. Frequently, RSDS may be misdiagnosed as a painful nerve injury. The skin over the affected area(s) may become swollen (edema) and inflamed. Affected skin may be extremely sensitive to touch and to hot or cold temperatures (cutaneous hypersensitivity). The affected limb(s) may perspire excessively and be warm to the touch (vasomotor instability). The exact cause of RSDS is not fully understood, although it may be associated with injury to the nerves, trauma, surgery, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, infection, or radiation therapy.
    Source:
    WebMd

    Synonyms

  • Algoneurodystrophy: A syndrome characterized by severe burning pain in an extremity accompanied by sudomotor, vasomotor, and trophic changes in bone without an associated specific nerve injury. This condition is most often precipitated by trauma to soft tissue or nerve complexes. The skin over the affected region is usually erythematous and demonstrates hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli and erythema. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1360; Pain 1995 Oct;63(1):127-33)
    Source: Diseases Database

  • Algodystrophy: A painful condition where the hand muscles become wasted and the skin suffers contractures, edema and cyanosis. Tenderness and loss of bone calcium also occurs. The condition may spread across the whole limb. It may be associated with injury, heart disease, stroke or viral infections.
  • Complex regional pain syndrome type 1: A syndrome characterized by severe burning pain in an extremity accompanied by sudomotor, vasomotor, and trophic changes in bone without an associated specific nerve injury. This condition is most often precipitated by trauma to soft tissue or nerve complexes. The skin over the affected region is usually erythematous and demonstrates hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli and erythema. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1360; Pain 1995 Oct;63(1):127-33)
    Source: Diseases Database

  • Sudek’s osteodystrophy:
  • Algodystrophic syndrome:
  • Shoulder-hand syndrome:
  • Reflex sympathetic osteodystrophy:
  • Sudek’s Atrophy:

    A syndrome characterized by severe burning pain in an extremity accompanied by sudomotor, vasomotor, and trophic changes in bone without an associated specific nerve injury. This condition is most often precipitated by trauma to soft tissue or nerve complexes. The skin over the affected region is usually erythematous and demonstrates hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli and erythema. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1360; Pain 1995 Oct;63(1):127-33)
    Source:Diseases Database

  • More RSD information & Related Links:
    Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association
    RSDHope
    South Carolina RSD Association