Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a condition that features a group of typical symptoms, including pain (often “burning” type), tenderness, and swelling of an extremity associated with varying degrees of sweating, warmth, and or coolness, flushing, discoloration, and shiny skin and even increased hair growth in the affected area.

Diagnosis

RSDS is diagnosed based on the clinical features described above. Blood testing is not abnormal because of RSDS but maybe with one of its associated conditions. X-rays can show patchy thinning or significant osteoporosis. Nuclear bone scanning can demonstrate characteristic uptake patterns.

Treatment

Response to allopathic treatment is greater in earlier stages than in later stages. Cool, moist applications can provide some relief of burning symptoms. Gradual exercising can prevent contracture. For persisting symptoms, high doses of cortisone are used for periods of weeks, depending on response, and then gradually reduced.

Occasionally, a nerve block with anesthetic injected into a specialized area of the involuntary nervous system (stellate ganglion blockade) can help. Sometimes a series of these blocks is tried. Other treatments include surgically interrupting the sympathetic nerves of the involuntary nervous system (surgical sympathectomy), pain drug pumps implanted into the spinal canal (intrathecal drug pumps), and spinal cord stimulation devices.

Homeopathic Treatment

The Homeopathic Treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy depends not only on the cause but the effect as well. To start with, the doctor must ascertain the stage and level of the disease and then accordingly give the treatment. Along with medicine, the role of physiotherapy and regular exercise becomes equally important in such a disease.