Download FAQ: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy | Print Page | The Dr. Oz Show

FAQ: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy | Print Page | The Dr. Oz Show
1 of 3
FAQ: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
On an episode of The Dr. Oz Show, TV personality Paula Abdul, confessed that she had a
diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) after years of debilitating pain and suffering.
RSD is a little-known illness that afflicts millions of Americans.
Q. What is RSD? And how does one experience it?
A. RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or
CRPS) is a problem caused by malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system. It usually occurs
after a traumatic injury. It is characterized by intense pain, usually burning in nature, which seems
to be out of proportion to the event which caused the problem.
Other symptoms include muscle spasms or tremors, increased sensitivity to even light touch,
atrophy, increased sweating, color and/or temperature changes, altered hair and nail growth.
Patients may also experience many internal manifestations such as hoarseness, sensitivity to light
and sound, digestive issues, bladder problems, irregular heart rhythms, gynecologic issues,
memory loss and compromised immune system functioning.
Q. What causes RSD/CRPS?
A. Most of the patients that I have examined have developed problems following an injury.
Sometimes this is a motor-vehicle accident, a fall or other significant trauma. However, I have
seen the devastating effects of the disorder following relatively innocuous events such as an
inadvertent needle stick by a seamstress.
Q. How common is this problem?
A. It is currently estimated that anywhere from 1 to 5 million Americans have been diagnosed
with this disorder. It is my opinion that the estimates are low and that the condition is far more
widespread.
Q. If so many people have RSD/CRPS, why haven’t I heard more about it?
A. RSD/CRPS has no national spokesperson and research funding is limited. Furthermore,
because the disease is poorly understood, the chronic pain from RSD/CRPS may be mistaken for
pain from other physical or psychological conditions. This leads to a decrease in accurate
diagnoses.
Q. How is RSD/CRPS diagnosed?
http://www.doctoroz.com/media/print/21119
7/27/2013 11:28 PM
FAQ: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy | Print Page | The Dr. Oz Show
2 of 3
A. As with most medical conditions, your doctor will take a comprehensive history and perform a
physical exam. Some of the aforementioned symptoms may be evident.
Conventional testing such as x-ray, CAT scan and MRI will serve only to eliminate other possible
disorders but will not confirm the diagnosis of CRPS. Nuclear bone scans, once though to be a
diagnostic aid have proven otherwise.
I have found that the only test that has proven to be accurate is thermography or Infrared imaging
which will show the sympathetic dysfunction and identify the disorder. This test is contact-free
and painless making it ideal for a pain-afflicted individual.
Q. What about treatment?
A. There are multiple available treatment options. However, treatment always begins with
mobilization. Physical and occupational therapy are helpful in the early stages. However, the
patient should be cautioned to be extremely careful in their choice of therapy because excessive
or incorrect therapy can be quite harmful.
Many also use medications to treat the symptoms. Medications include anti-seizure drugs, muscle
relaxants, anti-inflammatory agents and pain medicines.
Interventional treatments include injections, infusions and implanted devices.
Treatment of concurrent problems, such as fractures, disc disorders or other injuries is essential to
achieve the best possible outcome in RSD/CRPS treatment.
Recent studies have shown that infusions of Ketamine have been of great help. Ongoing research
is testing new forms of treatment.
We have also found that dietary changes have made a substantial difference in reducing the pain
and other symptoms. Adjusting the diet to exclude gluten and other highly inflammatory foods
has been greatly successful.
Additionally, a positive attitude and support from family and friends leads to better outcomes.
Q. I have read that unless you begin treatment within six weeks of onset, the results are bad.
Is this true?
A. As with any disorder, the earlier the treatment is initiated the better the outcome. However, we
have been fortunate to have good results in individuals afflicted for months and even years.
http://www.doctoroz.com/media/print/21119
7/27/2013 11:28 PM
FAQ: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy | Print Page | The Dr. Oz Show
3 of 3
Q. Is the condition curable?
A. No, but this is not unusual in medicine. Many diseases are not “curable” but are treatable and
controllable. This is the goal of treatment in RSD/CRPS – to control the dysfunction and facilitate
a relatively normal lifestyle.
Q. Who is most susceptible to getting RSD/CRPS?
A. Women get the disorder about four times more often than men. There is no age limitation – I
have treated patients from 6 to 88 years of age.
Some theories suggest a genetic predisposition for the disorder. In fact, I have treated more than a
dozen families with more than one member who suffers from RSD/CRPS.
Q. When I read about RSD/CRPS, it almost sounds like fibromyalgia. How do they
compare?
A. This is a really interesting point. In my opinion, fibromyalgia is really a form of CRPS.
Fibromyalgia and RSD/CRPS have many similarities: Both involve serious pain and mostly afflict
women. However, CRPS is far more involved with more intense pain levels and internal organ
manifestations.
Q. How can I get more information about RSD/CRPS?
A. There are many groups and associations that can provide more information. The national
organization is the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America.
Q. How can I find a specialist to treat my problem?
A. Most family doctors and specialists do not have specialized knowledge in the evaluation and
treatment of RSD/CRPS. The RSD Association can provide you with an individual in your area
who has been shown to demonstrate expertise. Often, however, it becomes necessary to travel to
find a physician who treats the disorder on a full-time basis and is up to date with the most
current information.
http://www.doctoroz.com/media/print/21119
7/27/2013 11:28 PM