About RSDS:

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe and relentless pain that affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans.

CRPS/RSD is a malfunction of part of the nervous system. Nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain. The syndrome develops in response to an event the body regards as traumatic, such as an accident or a medical procedure. This syndrome may follow 5% of all injuries.

Minor injuries can cause major problems. Minor injuries, such as a sprain or a fall are frequent causes of CRPS/RSD. One characteristic of CRPS/RSD is that the pain is more severe than expected for the type of injury that occurred.

Early and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to recovery, yet many health care professionals and consumers are unaware of its signs and symptoms. Typically, people with CRPS/RSD report seeing an average of 5 physicians before being accurately diagnosed.

Symptoms include persistent moderate-to-severe pain, swelling, abnormal skin color changes, skin temperature, sweating, limited range of movement, movement disorders.

CRPS/RSD is 2 to 3 times more frequent in females than males.

The mean age at diagnosis is 42 years. However, we are seeing more injuries among young girls, and children as young as 3 years old can get CRPS/RSD.

This is not a psychological syndrome, but children may develop psychological problems when physicians, parents, teachers and other children do not believe their complaints of pain.

Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, psychological support, sympathetic nerve blocks and, or dorsal column stimulator.

 

Some Facts About RSD/CRPS:

Fact: RSD/CRPS has been around since the early 1800’s.

Fact: RSD/CRPS Type I can follow a simple trauma (fall or sprain), break or fracture (especially wrist and ankle), a sharp force injury (such as a knife or bullet wound), heart problems, infections, surgery, spinal injuries/disorders, RSI's (Repetitive Stress Injuries), CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, injections, and even some partial paralysis injury cases.

Fact: The major symptoms of RSD include a burning or aching pain which is out of proportion to the traumatic event, and limited range of motion and muscle strength. Sensitivity to cold, (even the breeze from a fan can cause terrible pain).The condition usually affects an extremity, but can spread throughout the body.

Other symptoms may be an increased sensitivity to touch, sweating changes, skin temperature changes, skin color changes, nail changes(may grow faster and become brittle). Hair growth on affected part (may not grow or grow faster than usual).

Fact: RSD is a Multi-symptom condition affecting one, two or sometimes all four extremities. It can also be in the face, shoulders, back, eyes and other areas as well. It is an involvement of the nerves, skin, muscles, blood vessels - causing constriction and pain - as well as bone loss.

Fact: Physicians have caused more pain and suffering due lack of knowledge about RSD/CRPS . Unnecessary surgeries are performed due to misdiagnoses. Even amputations have been performed unnecessarily. RSD is not something you can use a "text book" to diagnose. Doctors have to think "out of the box" to help RSD suffers.

Fact: 40 percent of all patients have seen 10 or more doctors before a correct diagnosis is made. Many doctors claim to know everything there is to know about RSD, when they don't. If you feel uncomfortable with your doctor, look for another one.

Fact: On the McGill Pain Index - a medically recognized method to measure pain, RSD rates 42 on a 50 point scale.

Fact: Many patients that suffer with RSD/CRPS are often told they are drug seekers, they have a low tolerance to pain, they are crazy and it’s all in their head, or they are seeking attention.

Fact: There is not a definite test to tell if you have RSD/CRPS. Diagnosis of RSD is largely based on objective data from radio graphic findings, bone scans, thermoregulation, or success of sympathetic blocks.

Fact: RSD strikes both men and women, but typically 75 percent of cases are in women. RSD can attack at any age; the youngest case on record is a 3 year old child. RSD affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans.

Fact: Many people that suffer with RSD lose friends and family due to this condition beyond their control. Often people with RSD feel alone; FACT: you are not alone and there is help for you.

Fact: Keeping a positive outlook can help with the pain. When you laugh you release endorphins that are a natural pain reliever.

Find something to laugh about every day!