Can someone please explain RSD. I have a relative who is diagnosed after an injury.
2007-03-09 06:58:53 · 3 answers · asked by Paradox 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Actually, it's reflex sympathetic dystrophy (not disorder, as one responder said). In the latest terminology, it's CRPS (complex regional pain sydrome). There are other names too, but those are the most common that you would hear today.
Simply put, it's a neurological disorder that usually (but not always) develops after an injury. The exact cause is unknown. Some say it's due to an overreaction of the sympathetic nervous system (part of the autonomic or involuntary nervous system), which reacts to an injury. This is just one well-known theory. There are many others out there as well.
The main symptom is pain. Pain WAY out of preportion to the original injury. It's usually burning and/or stabbing in nature. Other symptoms include color and temperature changes in the effected area, swelling, movement disorder (difficulty initiating movement, tremors, etc), abnormal sweating of the effected area, abnormal hair/nail growth...the list goes on.
Treatment includes medications, nerve blocks (injections into the spine), and physical/occupational therapy. There are lots of other things to try, like implanted devices that interrupt pain signals from the spinal cord (spinal cord stimulators).
It's great that you're looking for information on this condition. RSD sucks, and it's a lot easier to deal with if one's family is understanding and supportive.
2007-03-10 04:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by Betsy H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reflex sympathetic disorder syndrome. Basically, after an injury, the nerves become oversensitive and can send pain signals to the brain for touch receptors that normally would feel light and painless like holding someones hand. This disorder can spread to the entire body or just stay localized and may resolve in a short time (weeks/months) or possibly last for years and up to a lifetime. It can be a very debilitating painful disorder. I know a few with it and only one had it to the worst extent. He is now back to his normal after 10+ years of pain and a lot of treatments.
2007-03-09 07:59:38 · answer #2 · answered by quicksilvergirl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
read all about it
http://www.rsds.org/2/what_is_rsd_crps/index.html
2007-03-09 07:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by chris m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋