[Treatment of Sudeck's syndrome with calcitonin (author's transl)]

Ten patients with Sudeck's syndrome were treated with porcine calcitonin. If this hormone, which inhibits bone absorption, is given no later than the first or in the transition from first to second stage, the spontaneous burning pain and, after some weeks, the oedema and increased warmth disappear. Calcitonin is as effective as corticosteroids. But its range of application is wider, because it has fewer side effects and can be administered particularly where corticosteroids are contra-indicated. But it is ineffective in stage III. Synthetic salmon calcitonin is now available, and more effective than porcine, lasts longer and is the drug of choice in Sudeck's syndrome.