Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8878
pubmed:dateCreated
1993-11-18
pubmed:abstractText
The pathogenesis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy--variously known as Sudeck's atrophy, causalgia, algodystrophy, and peripheral trophoneurosis--is not yet understood, and diagnosing and treating patients is difficult. We have prospectively studied 829 patients, paying particular attention to early signs and symptoms. In its early phase, reflex sympathetic dystrophy is characterised by regional inflammation, which increases after muscular exercise. Pain was present in 93% of patients, and hypoaesthesia and hyperpathy were present in 69% and 75% respectively. With time, tissue atrophy may occur as well as involuntary movements, muscle spasms, or pseudoparalysis. Tremor was found in 49% and muscular incoordination in 54% of patients. Sympathetic signs such as hyperhidrosis are infrequent and therefore have no diagnostic value. We found no evidence consistent with the presence of three consecutive phases of the disease. Early symptoms are those of an inflammatory reaction and not of a disturbance of the sympathetic nervous system. These data support the concept of an exaggerated regional inflammatory response to injury or operation in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0140-6736
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
23
pubmed:volume
342
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1012-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1993
pubmed:articleTitle
Signs and symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy: prospective study of 829 patients.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article