[Early diagnosis of post-traumatic algodystrophy]

The results of the retrospective analysis of the chronology and sequence of symptoms and signs occurrence in 64 patients who developed algodystrophy as a consequence of trauma/operation are presented. The following features were noted: diffuse pain, swelling, reduction of movement of fingers, temperature and colour changes of the limb. Basing on these data, we determined how early after accident a set of features sufficient to establish the diagnosis could be detected. It was found that diagnosis of algodystrophy could be made at 1 week in 22 patients (34%), at 2 weeks in 37 (58%), at 3 weeks in 46 (72%) and at 4 weeks in 53 patients (83%). Only in 11 patients (17%) algodystrophy appeared later than 1 month after initial trauma. The syndrome has been eventually diagnosed at 1 month only in 20 patients (31%). A traditional approach to the algodystrophy as a chronic pain syndrome caused probably considerable delay in the diagnosis, which occurred in almost 70% of our patients. The results of the study show that algodystrophy can be diagnosed in most cases as early as at 1 month after initial trauma. Early diagnosis prevents of development of florid condition and allow the patients to recover in relatively short time.