What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_regional_pain_syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by severe pain, swelling and changes in the skin.

The International Association for the Study of Pain has divided CRPS into two types based on the presence of nerve lesion following the injury: www.iasp-pain.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Type I, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), Sudeck's atrophy, Reflex neurovascular dystrophy (RND) or algoneurodystrophy, does not have demonstrable nerve lesions.

Type II, also known as causalgia, has evidence of obvious nerve damage.

The cause of this syndrome is currently unknown. Precipitating factors include illness, injury and surgery, although there are documented cases that have no documentable injury to the original site.

History and nomenclature: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_regional_p...ory_and_nomenclature

The condition currently known as CRPS was originally described by Silas Weir Mitchell during the American Civil War, who named the condition causalgia.

In the 1940s, the term reflex sympathetic dystrophy came into use to describe this condition, based on the theory that sympathetic hyperactivity was involved in the pathophysiology.[1]

Misuse of the terms, as well as doubts about the underlying pathophysiology, led to calls for better nomenclature.

In 1993, a special consensus workshop held in Orlando, Florida, provided the umbrella term \"complex regional pain syndrome,\" with causalgia and RSD as subtypes.[2]

The International Research Foundation For: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2): www.rsdfoundation.org & www.rsdfoundation.org/en/index.html

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.medifocus.com/znr015.php

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a complex, poorly understood disorder that is characterized by chronic, severe pain and progressive changes in skin, muscle, and bone.

Although the precise causes of RSD are unknown, it often occurs following an injury, often minor in nature.

Some experts believe that RSD represents an exaggerated response of the sympathetic nervous system to some form of injury or insult (eg. surgery) to the area resulting in chronic, severe, sometimes debilitating pain.

Although the signs and symptoms of RSD vary depending upon the clinical stage of the disorder, the one common feature shared by all 3 clinical stages (early, established, or late RSD) is pain.

Because currently there is no cure for RSD, the goals of treatment include: 1) controlling and minimizing pain to the greatest extent possible; 2) restoring function to the RSD-affected limb; 3) preventing progression of the disease process to the late stage; and 4) improving the patient's quality of life and psycholocial functioning.

The MediFocus Guidebook on Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy will inform you about the signs and symptoms of RSD, the treatment options including drug therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks, chemical and surgical sympathectomy, physical therapy, and other methods used for controlling pain and improving quality of life.

You will also learn about new, experimental treatments that are currently under investigation that may be effective for the management of RSD.

You will also learn about the doctors, hospitals, and medical centers that are at the leading edge in conducting clinical research about RSD.

A list of important questions to ask your doctor, and a valuable directory of resources, organizations, and support groups that can help patients with RSD are included in this Guidebook.

www.medifocus.com/znr015.php

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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.

The key symptom of CRPS is continuous, intense pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury, which gets worse rather than better over time.

CRPS most often affects one of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

Often the pain spreads to include the entire arm or leg.

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.

Doctors aren’t sure what causes CRPS.

In some cases the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in sustaining the pain.

Another theory is that CRPS is caused by a triggering of the immune response, which leads to the characteristic inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.rsds.org/2/what_is_rsd_crps/index.html

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 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

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

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.

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.rsd-arena.co.uk/6425/index.html

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, are conditions still not fully understood and sometimes difficult to diagnose.

Although the symptoms were detailed over 100 years ago, the mechanism of the condition still remain unclear.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, has over the years, been referred to by many different names, these include Sudeck's Astrophy, Algodystrophy and most recently, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 is when the the condition does not reveal any detectable nerve damage.

CRPS type 2 is diagnosed as such, when there are clearly nerve lesions.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a multi-symptom condition, some of the main attributes being, pain, abnormal regulation of the blood flow, sweating, oedema of the skin and active passive movement disorder, including physiological tremor.

Sufferers may also experience several other abnormalities, these include, rapid and abnormal growth to the nails on the affected limb and abnormal hair growth to the limb.

To be diagnosed with RSD, a person does not have to exhibit all the symptoms mentioned, the only one common factor being pain.

Whilst the condition is difficult to diagnose, the medical profession are now becoming more aware of the symptoms and are discovering more advanced ways in diagnosing the condition.

The use of MRI and Raioisotope scans can help in the diagnosis of the condition, but the use of such scans alone doesn't provide all of the answers.

Although the condition is not fully understood, it is generally thought that a group of nerve fibres called the 'sympathetic nerve system' is in some way involved in the development of the condition.

What Is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1&2 (RSD/CRPS 1&2)?: www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6035/6035.asp

RSD is a condition which is not well understood, and is often difficult to diagnose.

Its main feature is pain that is persistent and often has a burning quality.

Mild forms of RSD are probably quite common: these get better without any special treatment.

However, severe forms of RSD can be very disabling and difficult to treat.

About this booklet: www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6035/6035.asp

This booklet has been produced for anyone interested in finding out more about reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).

Many people now prefer the term 'complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)' to 'RSD'.

There are also a number of other names which have been used to describe the condition in different situations, including 'Sudek's atrophy' and 'algodystrophy'.

However, the term RSD is still in widespread use, probably because it is much easier to remember and say.

So RSD is the term used in this booklet.

We want to explain as much as possible about the condition; how it is diagnosed and how it can be treated.

However we cannot hope to answer all your questions.

Everyone is different and this booklet is not intended to replace an individual consultation with a doctor.