[Historical review of algodystrophy: part I]

The history of algodystrophy discerning, its recognition as a separate clinical entity and evolution of ideas about its nature is presented on the basis of historical and scientific literature. First cases resembling algodystrophy were described as early as in XVI and XVIII century. A more detailed description of limb dystrophy that followed gunshot injuries was reported by American surgeon Weir Mitchell in 1864, who coined this condition as "causalgia". In the year 1900 Paul Sudeck of Germany described radiological changes secondary, as he believed, to inflammatory process within the limb as patchy osteoporosis. His name is still attached to this syndrome in German and Polish literature. French neurosurgeon Rene Leriche believed, that the syndrome was caused by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and introduced a surgical periarterial sympathectomy. Oscar Steinbrocker of the United States separated particular form of algodystrophy known as shoulder-hand syndrome; later, he introduced the treatment of this condition with steroids.