Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, RSDS, is now referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS. It is a progressive disease of the Autonomic Nervous System. RSDs/CRPS is ranked as the most painful form of chronic pain that exists today by the McGill Pain Index.
There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria of CRPS/RSDS:
What exactly are soft tissue injuries? “Soft tissue” is an expression commonly used to refer to the “softer” aspects of the outer body, not including bones and joints. Muscles, tendons, and fascia are examples. Soft tissue injuries are commonplace and range from minor to very serious, depending on the nature of the injury. (1) We are gradually making the change-over on the website from the old, accepted, formerly used term of RSDS to the now more medically correct CRPS. Because the website encompasses thousands of pages it will take a great many months so please bear with us. For a more complete understanding of the two, please see the section "CRPS OR RSDS, WHICH IS IT?" WHAT PARTS OF THE BODY ARE INVOLVED?
CRPS/RSDS is a multi-symptom condition affecting one, two, or sometimes even all four of the extremities. It can also be in the face, shoulders, back, eyes, and other areas as well. CRPS/RSDS is an involvement of nerves, skin, muscles, blood vessels (causing constriction and pain) as well as bones. The Orthopod website describes this aspect very well:
"Sympathetic nerves are responsible for conducting sensation signals to the spinal cord from the body. They also regulate blood vessels and sweat glands. Sympathetic ganglia are collections of these nerves near the spinal cord. They contain approximately 20,000-30,000 nerve cell bodies. CRPS/RSDS is felt to occur as the result of stimulation of sensory nerve fibers. Those regions of the body rich in nerve endings such as the fingers, hands, wrist, and ankles are most commonly affected. When a nerve is excited, its endings release chemicals. These chemicals cause vasodilation (opening of the blood vessels). This allows fluid to leak from the blood vessel into the surrounding tissue. The result is inflammation or swelling leading to more stimulation of the sensory nerve fibers. This lowers the pain threshold. This entire process is called neurogenic inflammation. This explains the swelling, redness, and warmth of the skin in the involved area initially. It also explains the increased sensitivity to pain. As the symptoms go untreated, the affected area can become cool, have hair loss, and have brittle or cracked nails. Muscle atrophy or shrinkage, loss of bone density (calcium), contracture, swelling, and limited range of motion in joints can also occur in the affected limb. These are in part caused by decreased blood supply to the affected tissues as the condition progresses." (INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ORTHOPOD)
DOES CRPS/RSDS SPREAD?
It may spread from one part of the body to another regardless of where the original injury occurred; and CRPS/RSDS can spread in up to 70% of the cases.(1) However, in a small number of cases (8% or less) it can become Systemic or body-wide. (1) Most often those who develop full-body or systemic RSD/CRPS had a spinal injury as the precipitating cause or as an additional injury.
WHO GETS CRPS/RSDS?
ANYONE can get CRPS/RSDS. There are millions of Women, Men, and Children across the country with this disease. It is estimated there are between 1.5 and 3 million victims in the United States alone. It affects women many more times than men, as many as 75% of victims are women; the majority of victims develop the disease in their 30's and 40's; but it affects all age groups from birth to 103. Although in recent years more and more patients in their teens seem to be developing the disease. (2) The exact number of patients is unknown and estimates can vary widely.
There are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria of CRPS/RSDS:
- Constant chronic burning pain (includes allodynia - extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, and vibration)
- Inflammation (this can affect the appearance of the skin, bruising, mottling, etc.)
- Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities
- Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance (includes the major changes to the limbic system such as short-term memory problems, concentration difficulties, etc.)
- CRPS Type I , formerly known as RSDS, can follow a minor nerve injury, a simple trauma (fall or sprain), break or fracture (especially wrist and ankle), a sharp force injury (such as a knife or bullet wound), heart problems, infections, surgery, spinal injuries/disorders, RSI's (Repetitive Stress Injuries), CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, injections, and even some partial paralysis injury cases. There are some cases of CRPS Type I where there the nerve injury cannot be immediately identified. As many as 65% of CRPS/RSDS cases come from soft tissue injuries; such as burns, sprains, strains, tears, and most of the problems that end in “itis” ; bursitis, arthritis, and tendonitis to name a few.
- CRPS TYPE II once known as Causalgia, involves definable major nerve injury. Type II . Early recognition of the disease, correct diagnosis, and proper treatment, are all essential in keeping CRPS/RSDS from becoming a chronic condition. Treatment must begin within months of onset or significant probability of long-term disability occur. Because there is no single test that correctly identifies the existence of CRPS/RSDS in every patient the diagnosis must be made by the physician based on patient history and examination. It is essential to find an RSD-educated physican to ensure an early and correct diangosis.
What exactly are soft tissue injuries? “Soft tissue” is an expression commonly used to refer to the “softer” aspects of the outer body, not including bones and joints. Muscles, tendons, and fascia are examples. Soft tissue injuries are commonplace and range from minor to very serious, depending on the nature of the injury. (1) We are gradually making the change-over on the website from the old, accepted, formerly used term of RSDS to the now more medically correct CRPS. Because the website encompasses thousands of pages it will take a great many months so please bear with us. For a more complete understanding of the two, please see the section "CRPS OR RSDS, WHICH IS IT?" WHAT PARTS OF THE BODY ARE INVOLVED?
CRPS/RSDS is a multi-symptom condition affecting one, two, or sometimes even all four of the extremities. It can also be in the face, shoulders, back, eyes, and other areas as well. CRPS/RSDS is an involvement of nerves, skin, muscles, blood vessels (causing constriction and pain) as well as bones. The Orthopod website describes this aspect very well:
"Sympathetic nerves are responsible for conducting sensation signals to the spinal cord from the body. They also regulate blood vessels and sweat glands. Sympathetic ganglia are collections of these nerves near the spinal cord. They contain approximately 20,000-30,000 nerve cell bodies. CRPS/RSDS is felt to occur as the result of stimulation of sensory nerve fibers. Those regions of the body rich in nerve endings such as the fingers, hands, wrist, and ankles are most commonly affected. When a nerve is excited, its endings release chemicals. These chemicals cause vasodilation (opening of the blood vessels). This allows fluid to leak from the blood vessel into the surrounding tissue. The result is inflammation or swelling leading to more stimulation of the sensory nerve fibers. This lowers the pain threshold. This entire process is called neurogenic inflammation. This explains the swelling, redness, and warmth of the skin in the involved area initially. It also explains the increased sensitivity to pain. As the symptoms go untreated, the affected area can become cool, have hair loss, and have brittle or cracked nails. Muscle atrophy or shrinkage, loss of bone density (calcium), contracture, swelling, and limited range of motion in joints can also occur in the affected limb. These are in part caused by decreased blood supply to the affected tissues as the condition progresses." (INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ORTHOPOD)
DOES CRPS/RSDS SPREAD?
It may spread from one part of the body to another regardless of where the original injury occurred; and CRPS/RSDS can spread in up to 70% of the cases.(1) However, in a small number of cases (8% or less) it can become Systemic or body-wide. (1) Most often those who develop full-body or systemic RSD/CRPS had a spinal injury as the precipitating cause or as an additional injury.
WHO GETS CRPS/RSDS?
ANYONE can get CRPS/RSDS. There are millions of Women, Men, and Children across the country with this disease. It is estimated there are between 1.5 and 3 million victims in the United States alone. It affects women many more times than men, as many as 75% of victims are women; the majority of victims develop the disease in their 30's and 40's; but it affects all age groups from birth to 103. Although in recent years more and more patients in their teens seem to be developing the disease. (2) The exact number of patients is unknown and estimates can vary widely.
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