What is RSD/CRPS?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD, is also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS). It is characterized by the presence of RSD/CRPS does not have any age barriers, it affects children, teens, and adults of all ages. Sometimes appearing randomly, RSD/CRPS is a disease that should be considered for those who have pain, moderate to severe, whose cause (facture, break, sprain, surgery, etc.) doesn't match its severity of the injury.

It is not a clean cut, easy to diagnois disease because the symptoms associated with RSD can vary from patient to patient. Here are a few characteristics of RSD/CRPS:

Aching, cold, burning pain
Abnormal swelling
Abnormal hair or nail growth
Limited range of movement
Abnormal sweating
Abmormal skin tempuature
Continuous pain
Allodynia (pain to the touch)
Skin sensitivity
Color changes in the affected area

Since RSD isn't a "text book" disease, the symptoms can vary by type and degree person to person. This is one of the reasons why doctors have a hard time recognizing RSD and diagnosing it. In technical terms, RSD is a disease that affects the sympathetic nervous system, the nerves that regulated involuntary functions such as digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and regulation of blood flow. This disorder is characterized by chronic, severe pain. Excessive response by those nerves (NOT the human's conscious mindset - RSD is an organic, real and physical, not psychological disease) that causes severe pain and changes in temperature, sensation and growth in the hair and nails of the affected area.

It is typical for RSD to start in an arm, finger, palm of the hand, shoulder, leg or foot. For some people, RSD may occur in one or both legs or it may be localized to one knee or hip, though it has the potential to spread with injury and lack of treatment. Recent studies have shown that in 70-80% of all cases the RSD spreads to another limb or part of the body. The skin over the affected area may become swollen and inflamed. Skin is often mottled, meaning having a strange color pattern. Affected skin may be extremely sensitive to touch and to hot or cold temperatures. The affected area may perspire excessively and be warm to the touch. The exact cause of RSD/CRPS is not fully understood, although it may be associated with injury to the nerves, trauma, surgery, some cardiovascular diseases, infection, or radiation therapy. Members of the scientific community don't know much about RSD/CRPS, but there are many studies and research projects being conducted to help with this issue.