About RSD

International

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation^©

"Dedicated To Helping RSD Patients Worldwide"

Eric M. Phillips

P.O. Box 1145

Lakeville, Massachusetts 02347 USA

Phone: 508-946-9888 Fax: 508-946-3338

Office Hours

Monday through Friday

9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST

Please view the following new topics:Dr.Ellen G. Wattay's Updated Manual for the Diagnosis and Treatment of RSD/CRPS I, Clinical Contribution To CRPS I, RSD Poems, RSD Stories, Clinical Trials: Lenalidomide in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I and CRPS, Sympathectomy, The National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI), and Next Step O&P.

About

RSD/CRPS

What is RSD/CRPS?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), more recently known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a disease brought on by damage or trauma to the Sympathetic Nervous System. It can be brought on by an accident, as in my case, minor trauma or surgery (i.e., arthroscopy of the knee or shoulder, carpal tunnel surgery, disc herniation surgery, removal of neuroma, rib resection, tarsal tunnel surgery, ulnar nerve surgery, etc.)

There are four stage of RSD/CRPS:

Stage I -Dysfunction

Stage II - Dystrophy

Stage III - Atrophy

Stage IV - Irreversible, Failure of the Immune system

Below are some of the symptoms of RSD/CRPS:

Burning Pain in Extremities Chronic Pain after Injury or Surgery

Chronic Pain after Injury or Surgery

Cold Feeling in Extremities

Discoloration of the Skin

Edema (Swelling of the Extremities)

Hypersensitivity to Touch

Limited Range of Motion

Muscle Spasms

Below are some treatments to avoid:

Amputation

Application of Ice

Chemical Sympathectomy (i.e., Alcohol nerve block , Phenol nerve block )

Improper Nerve Blocks ( i.e., Repetitive stellate ganglion nerve blocks)

Radiofrequency Sympathectomy

Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS)

Surgical Sympathectomy

Unnecessary Surgery

You can see that the symptoms are varied and unique. RSD (CRPS) can be in the upper extremities, lower extremities, there is facial RSD and total body RSD (CRPS). I know this is brief, but I have avoided an in-depth discussion on this page because I am not a professional. Although I do have an office filled with documentation on RSD (CRPS) from professionals all over the world, and I would prefer if you obtained the information from the literature that they have provided me. I have placed some of the information that I have regarding (RSD) Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy on this web site, please click on the following link "RSD ARTICLES" to view this information. Also please make sure that you fill out the "RSD INFO REQUEST FORM" , so you will be notified of updates on new RSD information and future RSD conferences.

The material on the IRSDF Homepage and all its associated, linked or reference pages is for informational and education purposes. It is not meant to take the place of your physician. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult your physician.
Eric M. Phillips, and Associates will not be held liable for any damage or loss as a result of information provided on this page or associated documentation. Again, this WEBSITE is simply published as an information source and should not be used to treat or make judgments on RSD. All material owned by others, that is distributed or published on this website, disk media, facsimile or copied through electronic or photographic means has been done so with the permission of the owner or author. Any and all material published in error, will be immediately removed or corrected upon notification of such. The IRSDF organization title known as the "International Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation" and all associated material on this website may not be copied, reproduced or quoted without expressed written permission from the owner; Copyright ©1996-2009 Eric M. Phillips- Last Update 2/9/2000