Reflex dystrophy. Resting blood flow and muscle temperatures as diagnostic criteria

Fifty-one patients were examined following an injury of the upper extremity. Clinically, 25 patients were estimated as having reflex dystrophy, while the rest was categorized as either having a possible reflex dystrophy or acted as controls. Temperature and blood flow measurements were carried out on both extremities of the patients. The temperature of the brachioradial muscle and resting blood flow of the same segment of the forearm gave highly significant elevated values on the reflex dystrophic arms as compared with the healthy side, while the control patients revealed no such differences. Combination of these two parameters proved to give a specificity and sensitivity that high that they can be recommended as a diagnostic tool. A quantitative measurement and exact diagnosis make controlled trials on this group of patients easier in the future.