Whence Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) ?
Author's opening note: This is my introductory article on the Neuropathies of the Peripheral Nervous System. There is a story to tell about the nature and treatment of these diseases, and in particular, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). For the most part, these are a family of mysterious diseases of unknown origin (idiopathic etiologies) that may be totally devastating to those who are afflicted with them. In most cases there are no visible signs of the presence of the disease. It will be my charter to bring this series of articles to you to explore the diagnosis, treatment, and hopefully, the cure, or at least the remission, of these terrible and painful diseases.
Further, I will not repeat information that is ubiquitous. Please let me hear from you. I will respond to each and every one of your queries. Thank you.
Les Abrams mailto:lesa@ikonsystems.com
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD, is in most cases, a devastating Neuropathic disease that manifests as a range of afflictions ranging from discomforting pain to total crippling disfigurement. In each of these cases the pain is always present and is never ending. The most unfortunate aspect of this disease is that most of today's medical practitioners (Doctors of all disciplines) often do not recognize the presence of RSD nor do they agree on the diagnosis of the disease once suspected. Even worse than not recognizing the disease is that most so called "RSD knowledgeable" doctors generally treat the pain and leave the disease to have its way with the patient, unchecked. Thus, as the disease progresses, the pain worsens and the "Pain Management" procedures begin to become less effective and ultimately fail. The patient is then left with an advanced case of RSD that is well entrenched, along with all of the failures of the pain management process.
It is not likely that the medical personnel and the doctors directly involved in the diagnosis of and the treatment of RSD will soon become sufficiently educated to avert the disaster of the disease completely ravaging the patient. Thus it is incumbent upon the patient becoming educated about the nature of the disease and taking final responsibility for the treatments that they will receive. Additionally, the patient will learn how to locate and select competent medical personnel to provide treatment for the disease and the pain. The patient is well advised to become acquainted with these support groups that are available on the Internet to aid in providing this information. Some of these support groups are:
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