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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy syndrome, also known as Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that is believed to be the result of dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous systems.
Experts are saying that this disease has three stadiums in which the symptoms are changing and in which different tissue changes are happening.
- Stage one, also called- an acute stadium, is thought to last from 1 to 3 months. In most cases this stadium is characterized by:
- severe, burning pain
- muscle spasm
- joint stiffness
- rapid hair growth
- alterations in the blood vessels
- changes in skin color and temperature
- Stage two, also called- the dystrophic stadium- lasts from 3 to 6 months and is characterized by:
- intensifying pain
- swelling
- decreased hair growth
- cracked, brittle, grooved, or spotty nails
- softened bones
- stiff joints
- weak muscle tone
In stage three, atrophic stadium occurs from one year on. The syndrome progresses to the point where changes in the skin and bone are no longer reversible. This stadium is characterized by:also called- the
- unyielding pain which involves the entire limb or affected area
- muscle loss
- severely limited mobility
- involuntary contractions of the muscles and tendons
- skin of the affected area is now pale, dry, tightly stretched
Diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Since there is no specific diagnostic test for CRPS, the most important role for testing is to help rule out other conditions.
- Review of your medical history
Well, logically, the first diagnostic method should be simple medical history because the onset of disease symptoms can often be traced back to an accident, illness or injury.
- Physical examination
There is no doubt- a simple examination of skin, muscles and joints may reveal many useful information about the source of tenderness and pain because there may be changes in the normal texture and color of skin.
- Bone scan
We are talking about simple X-ray technology scans but done a bit differently! Some radioactive substance is being injected into veins and this permits viewing of bones with a special camera.
- Sympathetic nervous system tests
These tests are probably the best diagnostic tool because they seek for disturbances in sympathetic nervous system- the main cause of all problems
- X-rays
Some researches have proven that simple loss of minerals from bones may show up on an X-ray in later stages of the disease.
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