What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.springerlink.com/content/b20051v5363072n9

Abstract: www.springerlink.com/content/b20051v5363072n9

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) I, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is a painful neuropathic condition that most commonly affects a traumatized extremity.

It is characterized by pain that is out of proportion to the original injury, has a distal predominance, and is not attributable to a specific peripheral nerve injury.

The name RSD has been changed to CRPS I reflecting the fact that although sympathetic dysfunction can maintain the painful state, it is not the essential pathophysiologic lesion.

Successful treatment hinges on early recognition of suspected cases, prompt referral to pain specialists, and ultimately pain control and return of limb function.

Treatments range from noninvasive medications and therapies to sympathetic ganglion blockade and sympathectomy.

The sports medicine physician is in an ideal position to recognize CRPS I in its earliest stages postinjury, and is advised to make prompt referral to a pain specialist when suspected.

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympa...thetic_dystrophy.htm

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that is believed to be the result of dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous systems.

Typical features include dramatic changes in the color and temperature of the skin over the affected limb or body part, accompanied by intense burning pain, skin sensitivity, sweating, and swelling.

CRPS I is frequently triggered by tissue injury; the term describes all patients with the above symptoms but with no underlying nerve injury.

Patients with CRPS II experience the same symptoms but their cases are clearly associated with a nerve injury.

Older terms used to describe CRPS are \"reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome\" and \"causalgia,\" a term first used during the Civil War to describe the intense, hot pain felt by some veterans long after their wounds had healed.

CRPS can strike at any age and affects both men and women, although most experts agree that it is more common in young women.

Effects of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)

Uk-Pain Websites:

www.lpc.ac.uk

www.britishpainsociety.org

www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk

www.painnetwork.co.uk

www.paincoalition.org.uk

International-Pain Websites:

www.europeanjournalpain.com

www.iasp-pain.org

www.canadianpainsociety.ca

www.canadianpaincoalition.ca

www.sppm.org

www.ampainsoc.org

www.apsoc.org.au

www.pain.org.sg

www.nzps.org.nz

members.aon.at/oesg

Uk-Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy\Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)-Websites:

shsskip.swan.ac.uk

www.rsdhelp.co.uk

www.rsd-arena.co.uk

www.rsdalert.co.uk/index.html

www.rsdsite.com

groups.msn.com/PalmarMidcarpalInstabilityPMCIRSD

International-Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy\Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)-Websites:

www.rsds.org/index2.html

www.rsdsmn.org

www.rsdhope.org

www.rsdcanada.org

www.rsd-io.narod.ru/problem_.html

www.rsdfoundation.org

www.rsdinfo.com

www.ozrsd.org

Effects of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&amp;2 (RSD/CRPS 1&amp;2) <br><br>Post edited by: Scott_1984, at: 2008/05/01 06:25

Information Below, As Been Copied &amp; Pasted From: www.medifocus.com & www.medifocus.com/mda/index.php?gid=NR015&?a=a & Made In Tiny Earl To @ tinyurl.com/32f33uo

Some experts believe that there are three stages of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) that
represent different clinical stages of the disease process. The progression of these stages has not,
however, been validated by clinical studies.

Information Below, As Been Copied &amp; Pasted From: www.medifocus.com & www.medifocus.com/mda/index.php?gid=NR015&?a=a & Made In Tiny Earl To @ tinyurl.com/32f33uo

The three stages are as follows: www.medifocus.com & www.medifocus.com/mda/index.php?gid=NR015&?a=a & Made In Tiny Earl To @ tinyurl.com/32f33uo

• Stage I usually lasts from one to three months after onset and is characterized by:
• pain - the pain is severe, burning or throbbing and is localized to the limb
• edema - swelling that is usually localized to the affected limb and may have a well
demarcated edge
• skin changes - skin in the area becomes bluish in color and becomes cold and sweaty.
• skin begins to atrophy and becomes shiny.
• increased sweating (hyperhydrosis)
• rapid hair growth
• joint stiffness
• muscle spasm
• early evidence of osteoporosis (thin, weak bone more susceptible to fracture)

• Stage II lasts 3-6 months and is characterized by:
• intensifying pain
• swelling
• weak muscle tone
• hair may become coarse and may be followed by hair loss
• nails may grow faster or slower and may become brittle, spotty, or grooved
• joint stiffness worsens with further reduced range of motion
• softened bones

• Stage III is characterized by:
• unremitting pain and sensory disturbance
• pain may involve the entire limb
• marked muscle atrophy
• severely limited mobility
• significant increase of motor and trophic changes
• irreversible changes of skin and bone
• loss of function and stiffness of the limb
• marked osteoporosis
• involuntary contraction of muscles and tendons which may make limbs contorted. In
the upper extremity, this may take the form of frozen shoulder or \&quot;claw hand\&quot;