What is RSD?
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What is RSD?
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) - also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by:
severe burning pain
pathological changes in bone and skin
excessive sweating
tissue swelling
extreme sensitivity to touch
[For a complete description of RSD/CRPS symptoms, please read the Diagnosis section of the Clinical Practice Guidelines section of this website].
There are Two Types of CRPS - Type I and Type II.
CRPS Type I (also referred to as RSD) - cases in which the nerve injury cannot be immediately identified
CRPS Type II (also referred to as Causalgia) - cases in which a distinct "major" nerve injury has occurred
RSD/CRPS is best described in terms of an injury to a nerve or soft tissue (e.g. broken bone) that does not follow the normal healing path
RSD/CRPS development does not appear to depend on the magnitude of the injury. The sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury
Since there is no single laboratory test to diagnose RSD/CRPS, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination).
Criteria for Diagnosing
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (RSD)
The presence of an initiating noxious event, or a cause of immobilization
Continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia with which the pain is disproportionate to any inciting event
Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of the pain
This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (Causalgia)
The presence of continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia after a nerve injury, not necessarily limited to the distribution of the injured nerve
Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of pain
This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction. Source: http://www.rsds.org/2/what_is_rsd_crps/i...
Basically it's a chronic pain condition which I have had for almost 2 years. Here are some helpful websites for more information. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like.
www.rsds.org
http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/...
www.rsdhope.org
www.aboutrsd.com
it's not good
look it up on the web
it only gets worse with age... until you are like a vegetable.
RSD. Also known as Reflex Sympathetic Distrofy..My mom suffers from this illness. Please see the attatched websites. It is an article about my mom and her struggle. There are also websites for help. My mom is a huge advocate for this disease. Please see the websie. She talks to many people. If you would like to speak with her email me at want.mohr@hotmail.com and I can give her your number. Thankyou. Please respond. She knows alot.
RSD may mean Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Repetitive Stress Disorder.
RSD generally refers to repetitive strain disorder. Strangely it is really a legal term, but has been adopted by doctors. It was originally used in an industrial injury sense, to describe any repetitive work activity, as distinct from acute trauma, that resulted in injury.
RSD stands for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS. The answer 'Dr Frank' gave shows exactly why the name was changed.
As icesk8er said, it is a chronic neurological condition resulting in severe, sometimes debilitating pain. Apart from severe pain, the most common signs are oedema and colour/temperature changes in the affected part. Other changes as time goes on can include atrophy of the skin and muscles, loss of bone quality, dystonia and permanent muscle contractures, etc.
It is often difficult to treat, as the underlying mechanisms are not well understood, but early intervention (such as sympathetic blocks and some medications) and physiotherapy give the best chance of a good outcome.
Take no notice of the first idiot who answered- it can be lifelong and it can cause permanent disability but age has nothing to do with it and it does not make you a 'vegetable'. I have very severe CRPS in one leg (as well as other problems in shoulders and 'good' leg), I have additional CRPS complications, poor response to pretty much every treatment I've tried and I still study & will graduate as a veterinarian later this year. If you have the strength and will in yourself, and the support of people around you, you can still achieve an awful lot!
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