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Reflex sympathetic dystrophy treated with gabapentin
1American Pain Specialists, Inc., Elyria, OH 44035, USA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Gabapentin effectively treated severe reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) pain in six patients. This anticonvulsant showed promise for pain relief and potential disease reversal in RSD cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a severe pain condition often refractory to conventional treatments.
- Gabapentin, a recently approved anticonvulsant, was investigated for its potential in managing RSD pain.
- Previous treatments had been ineffective for the selected patient cohort.
Observation:
- Six patients with severe and refractory RSD, aged 42–68 years, were treated with gabapentin.
- All patients experienced satisfactory pain relief.
- Specific improvements included reduced hyperpathia, allodynia, and hyperalgesia, alongside early reversal of skin and soft tissue changes.
Findings:
- Gabapentin demonstrated efficacy in alleviating severe RSD pain across all treated patients.
- Patient 6 achieved a complete cure of RSD pain solely with gabapentin.
- The drug exhibited a favorable efficacy-to-toxicity ratio and was well-tolerated.
Implications:
- Gabapentin represents a promising therapeutic option for reflex sympathetic dystrophy pain.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism of gabapentin's action in RSD.
- These findings suggest gabapentin may offer disease-modifying effects beyond pain control in RSD.