About RSD

International Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation^©

"Dedicated To Helping RSD/CRPS Patients Worldwide"

Our Mission

We hope to assist patients, as well as family, and friends of those who suffer from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or more recently known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This organization was formed in July 1990; and since then, has sent information regarding RSD/CRPS to hundreds of thousands patients and professionals worldwide. The free information we offer will help educate and inform you, your family, friends as well as your physician regarding the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and the latest methods of treatment for RSD/CRPS.

About RSD

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 stages 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 the extremities
Chronic pain after injury or surgery
Cold feeling in the 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

As, you can see these symptoms are varied and unique. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD/CRPS) can be in the upper extremities, lower extremities, there is facial RSD and total body RSD. 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 from professionals from 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 these informative articles that I have regarding Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) on this website.

I hope that these articles on our website will be informative and helpful to your search for answers regarding this complex disease we call RSD/CRPS.