Related Experiment Videos
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy following traumatic myelopathy.
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118 U.S.A.
Pain
|April 1, 1984
Summary
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is rare but possible in patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries. Early recognition is key for managing unexplained extremity pain in those with paralysis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a poorly understood condition.
- RSD is commonly associated with cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) but is rarely documented following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
Observation:
- This report details two cases of RSD in the upper extremities of patients who sustained traumatic cervical SCI.
- Both patients presented with incomplete spinal cord lesions and demonstrated early neurological recovery, indicative of a central cord syndrome.
Findings:
- The occurrence of RSD in the context of traumatic myelopathy is uncommon.
- These cases highlight a potential, albeit rare, complication of SCI.
Implications:
- RSD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pain syndromes in the extremities of patients with paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Increased awareness may improve diagnosis and management of pain in SCI patients.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathophysiology and incidence of RSD after SCI.