RSD Article # 8
British Journal of Rheumatology 1991 ;
30:468-470
CASE REPORT
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME COMPLICATED BY REFLEX
SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME
BY M.-A. FITZCHARLES AND J.M. ESDAILE
Rheumatic Disease Unit, McGill University, Unit, Montreal, Quebec. Canada
SUMMARY
This report describes three patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy
complicating carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain disproportionate and more diffuse than that
commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome suggested the associated diagnosis in each
patient and facilitated prompt management.
KEY WORDS: Entrapment neuropathy, Shoulder-hand syndrome.
REFLEX sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is characterized by extremity pain and
autonomic nervous dysfunction. Most events are precipitated by trauma or surgery but
central nervous system abnormalities, peripheral neuropathy, cervical osteoarthritis and
myocardial infarction may be underlying disorders [1]. RSDS has been reported as a
complication of surgical carpal tunnel release in 5% of patients [2,3], although it is not
commonly recognized in untreated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We describe three patients
with recent onset CTS, who then evolved into the clinical syndrome of RSDS in the absence
of surgical intervention. CTS was associated with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in one
patient, followed excessive wrist activity in another, and was the initial symptom of a
seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis in the third.
CASE REPORTS
Case 1
A 60-year-old woman was diagnosed and treated for PMR with low dose
corticosteroids for 18 months. She remained well for more than 2 years off steroid but
then had a relapse of typical PMR. She did not seek medical advice until 9 months later
when she developed paraesthesiae and numbness of the thumbs and second and third fingers
of both hands. Initially the paraesthesiac were worse at night but subsequently persisted
throughout the day. Bilateral median nerve dysfunction at the level of the carpal tunnel
was confirmed on nerve conduction studies. Two months later, she experienced severe
bilateral diffuse hand pain, swelling, and a blue mottling of the hands and arms. Her
hands were puffy and swollen (Fig. 1). There was marked tenderness of the soft tissues of
the hands and forearms with associated hyper aesthesia. The shoulders were stiff and
limited as were the hips. She had clinical evidence of persistent bilateral carpal tunnel
syndrome. The sedimentation rate was elevated to 45 mm/h (Wintrobe) She was not anaemic.
Rheumatoid factor was negative. Liver function tests were normal. The technetium bone scan
with flow studies showed increased uptake of both the right and the left hands, wrists,
elbows and shoulders consistent with a diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.
She was treated with prednisone 30 mg/day and within 2 weeks had marked improvement of
symptoms of RSDS and CTS. The ESR returned to normal within 10 weeks and she was
maintained on prednisone 7.5 mg/day for control of the PMR. CTS was the presenting feature
of recurrent PMR In this patient and RSDS occurred: months after onset of nerve root
entrapment symptoms. Her response to steroid treatment was rapid (Fig.2).
Case 2
A 66-year-old man, previously in good health and unaccustomed to prolonged
vigorous exercise, spent a few days sawing wood, A few days later he developed persistent
paraesthesiac of the right hand in the median nerve distribution. One month later, he
experienced diffuse pain in the right hand and painful right shoulder with a reduced range
of motion. The shoulder pain improved somewhat following a steroid injection. The right
hand was swollen and mottled and he was unable to make a fist. There was tenderness and
hyperaesthesiae over the whole of the right hand, wrist and forearm.
FIG. 1.-Hands of patient 1 at presentation showing diffuse swelling.
Figures will be added in future versions of this media
FITZCHARLES
AND ESDAILE; CTS AND RSD 468
He had a positive wrist flexion test and a decreased light touch in the median
nerve distribution consistent with a clinical diagnosis of CTS. The CBC and sedimentation
rate were normal. tests for rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody were negative and
protein electrophoresis was normal. Chest X-ray was normal. He did not respond to therapy
with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and a week later was treated with prednisone
40 mg/day. Within 2 weeks he had a marked improvement in the pain and swelling of the hand
and less dysaesthesiae in median nerve distribution. Prednisone was gradually reduced and
discontinued over the following 3 months. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome subsided
spontaneously. although he was left with residual numbness of the inner aspect of the
right third finger. This patient experienced clinical carpal tunnel syndrome following
excessive wrist activity and RSDS developed 1 month later. Both the carpal tunnel syndrome
and the RSDS responded promptly to systemic corticosteroids.
Case 3
An 81-year old lady, who was previously in good health. presented with a 4 month history
suggestive of left CTS and a 2 month history of a swollen painful left hand, Her left
shoulder .and elbow were stiff. Median nerve compression at the level of the left carpal
tunnel was confirmed by nerve conduction studies. She denied systemic symptoms, other
peripheral joint complaints or trauma . In addition to clinical findings of CTS she had
diffuse swelling and tenderness of the whole of the left hand and was unable to make a
fist. The hand was cold and mottled There was reduced and painful range of motion of the
left shoulder and elbow. She was not 'anaemic and the ERS was 'slightly elevated 'it 30
mm/h ('Wintrobe). The rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody were negative and the
blood glucose was normal . X-rays of the hands showed osteoarthritis only. She partially
responded to prednisone 40 mg/day,. but subsequently required a surgical carpal tunnel
release. The signs of RSDS improved gradually and prednisone was discontinued after 4
months. She was left with a residual median nerve sensory deficit. One year' later she
developed a low grade seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis of the opposite hand. The
initial symptom of polyarthritis in this patient was of left CTS complicated by RSDS.
Steroids improved symptoms of RSDS, but surgical decompression for the carpal tunnel was
required.
DISCUSSION
Precipitating factors commonly associated with RSDS include trauma, surgical
procedures. infection, myocardial infarction 'and neurological disease [1]. This syndrome
has been described as complicating surgical carpal tunnel decompression in about 5% of
patients [2,3], but to our knowledge has not been described as a complication of CTS prior
to surgery. We have described three patients who developed classical symptoms of CTS and
within a l-2 month period developed signs and symptoms of RSDS. Our patients were all seen
early in the course of their disease and all had the characteristic findings of diffuse
hand and forearm swelling, extreme tenderness of soft tissues as well as hyperaesthesiae
which was nor limited to the distribution of the median nerve. The neurological symptoms
in the median nerve distribution suggested the primary diagnosis although the most
prominent clinical findings in all three patients were those of the RSDS.
Each of our patients had a clearly recognizable precipitating cause for carpal tunnel
syndrome [4]. Patient I had PMR, which has previously been associated with carpal tunnel
syndrome [5], the second patient had wrist trauma following sawing wood. and the third
patient had limited seronegative polyarthritis. The first two patients had a rapid and
successful response to treatment with prednisone most likely due to the short duration of
symptoms. Patient 3 had a more prolonged course. required carpal tunnel decompression and
has subsequently demonstrated low grade polyarthritis of the opposite hand.
These patients illustrate another precipitating cause of RSDS. Although peripheral nerve
injuries are a common cause of RSDS. this syndrome is most commonly seen when there has
been severance or a significant traumatic insult to a peripheral nerve [1]. The rapid and
complete response to treatment in two of our patients suggests that prompt treatment may
prevent a more prolonged and disabling course of the disease [6].
The diagnosis of RSDS should be suspected in any patient presenting with symptoms out of
proportion to that commonly observed with a particular condition such 'is carpal tunnel
syndrome Recommendations concerning treatment for RSDS arc varied but it is generally
accepted that early mobilization and steroid treatment ire successful in the majority of
patients [1].
Fig. 2.- Same patient 6 months later showing complete resolution of swelling.
Figures will be added in future versions of this media
FITZCHARLES AND ESDAILE; CTS AND RSD
469
REFERENCES
1. Schwartzman RJ - McLellan TL. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A review. Arch Neurol
1987;44:555-61
2. MacDonald RI. Lichtman DM, Hanlon II, Wilson JN. Complications of surgical release for
carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am] 1978:1:706.
3. Lichtman DM, Florio RL. Mack GE. Carpal tunnel release under local anaesthesia:
evaluation of the outpatient procedure. J Hand Surg 1979;4:544-6.
4. Gelberman RH. Rydevik BL.. Pess GM. Szabo RM. Lindborg G. Carpal tunnel syndrome A
scientific basis for clinical care. Orthop Clin North Am 1988; 19: 115-24.
5. Wysenbeek AJ, Calabrese LH, Scherbel AL. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome
complicating polymyalgia rheumatica. Arthritis Rheum 1981; 24: 863-4
6. Goldner JL. Causes and prevention of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (letter). J. Hand
Surg [Am] 1980;3:295-6.
Submitted 22 May; revised version accepted 14 December 1990.
Correspondence to Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles. Royal Victoria Hospital. 687 Pine Avenue West,
Montreal, Quebec. H3A 1A1. Canada.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY VOL. XXX NO.6
470
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