Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Rehabilitation
eflex sympathetic dystrophy, commonly referred to as "RSD", s a disorder of unknown cause that usually occurs following a surgical or traumatic insult. It is also called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome "CRPS". SD/CRPS typically affects a single extremity with symptoms such as pain, increased sweating, hypersensitivity, swelling, tenderness, circulatory and skin changes such as redness. Other medical diagnoses which are associated with this syndrome include: causalgia, shoulder-hand syndrome, painful osteoporosis, traumatic neuralgia, post-traumatic dystrophy, and chronic traumatic edema.
In accordance with success documented in the current research dealing with this diagnosis, it is clear that early medical intervention and rehabilitation is critical in the treatment of this disease. Most research clearly identifies the important role that physical therapy plays in the successful rehabilitation of patients with RSD/CRPS.
At JACK D. CLOSE AND ASSOCIATES, our caring, skilled, and knowledgeable staff is prepared and trained to develop rehabilitation programs for these challenging cases, and we have the ability to assist our patients with this diagnosis in the following ways:
- Decrease painful stimuli from the periphery.
- Desensitize the hypersensitive area.
- Restore normal blood flow and autonomic functions.
- Decrease edema (swelling).
- Increase joint mobility.
- Increase strength and motor control.
- Improve endurance.
- Reverse and/or reduce the psychological dysfunction associated with RSD.
- Minimize osteopenic changes.
- Maximize functional activity.
