REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY,  also known as RSD, is a chronic pain disorder that involves the sympathetic nervous system.  It can result from:

-Injury or trauma

-Complication of surgery

-Infection

-Casting or splinting

-Myocardial Infarction

-Repetitive Motions

The brain and spinal cord begin to misread pain signals.  Although there may not seem to be anything clinically wrong with some patients, their pain is excruciating.  With RSD the pain is more severe than the injury.  It can spread to other parts of the body and can cause complete disability.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

-Sensitivity to temperature (many times a limb can "ice up" or feel extremely hot)

-Color changes to skin (mottling that is bluish or reddish); skin lesions that sometimes seep)

-Quality of pain differs from patient to patient: burning, stabbing, crushing, throbbing, aching, etc.  One thing they have in common is that the pain is constant.

-Mucsle spasms and tremors (Lindsay had spasms in her legs that at times lasted as long as an hour)

-Joint pain; bone softening

-Increased swelling and sweating

-Disproportinate response to stimuli (a gentle caress or breeze can be compared to being rubbed with crushed glass)

-Depression and anxiety

-Loss or decreased motor function

TREATMENT OPTIONS INCLUDE:

-Drug therapy (oral meds and infusions)

-Nerve blocks

-Physical and aquatic therapy

-Transcutaneous electrical stimulator

-Implantable spinal cord stimulator or drug delivery infusion pump

-Sympathectomy

-Heat therapy