I Was Just Diagnosed with RSD — What Are My Treatment Options?

You dealt with an injury some time ago, yet the pain lingers on. In fact, the pain worsens over time, as a burning ache you can’t seem to relieve. Meanwhile, you struggle to move your body as usual, which makes seemingly simple tasks challenging. 

If you relate to this scenario, you know how life-altering reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) syndrome can be. Thankfully, you don’t have to continue suffering.

Our compassionate team at Houston Pain Specialists, led by board-certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, offers personalized RSD treatments to minimize your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Let’s explore RSD, including several treatments you may want to consider.

The basics of RSD

RSD is the most common form of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), accounting for 90% of cases, with symptoms that may start from ages 7-70. 

Also known as Type 1 CRPS, RSD often stems from some type of tissue injury. While it affects people differently, the hallmark symptom you may notice is burning pain in your extremities. The intense, chronic pain is disproportionate to the severity of your injury and worsens over time.

Other RSD symptoms, which also affect your arms or legs, may include:

• Skin temperature changes
• Skin sensitivity to touch
• Changes in your skin color or texture
• Changes in your hair or nail growth patterns
• Joint stiffness and swelling
• Mobility challenges

Injuries that can lead to RSD include blood vessel damage, brain injuries, fractures, sprains, and surgical incisions.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome treatments

Your ideal treatment for RSD depends on your overall health and the severity of your symptoms. Regardless, early diagnosis and care are important for slowing down or preventing the worsening of your condition. You might even experience symptom remission.

At Houson Pain Specialists, we may recommend:

• Physical therapy, for increased flexibility, strength, and range of motion
• Medication, for reduced inflammation and pain
• A hot pad applied to the affected area several times a day
• Electrical nerve stimulation or spinal cord stimulation, which ease pain using mild electrical impulses 
• Nerve block injections, which halt pain signals in your brain

While individual results vary, research shows that combining two or more therapies may be especially helpful for minimizing RSD pain. 

We can also recommend lifestyle changes. Eating more antioxidant-rich foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts, for example, may lower inflammation and lead to less pain as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. 

To learn more about reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome or find out which RSD treatment options suit you, contact our Houston, Texas, office today to schedule an appointment.