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Sympathetic blocks for reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Josef K Wang1, Kenneth A Johnson, Duane M Ilstrup
1Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905 U.S.A. Department of Orthopedics,Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905 U.S.A. Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905 U.S.A.
Abstract:
Seventy-one patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremities were studied during a 3-year period. Of the 27 patients managed by conservative means, 11 (41%) showed signs of improvement 3 years after the onset of syndrome. Of the 43 patients treated by sympathetic nerve blocks, 28 (65%) experienced progress at the 3-year evaluation. Data suggest that early treatment with repeated sympathetic nerve blocks appears to improve the long-term outcome.