Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Treatment

RSD is a chronic pain most commonly found in a limb. The pain is often described as continuous burning and becomes worse with movement, stimulation or stress. RSD is often accompanied by swelling and a change in the skin blood flow, sweating and paleness.

RSD can lead to weakness, tremor and joint stiffness. Deep tissue pathology caused by disuse atrophy is often present, either because of disuse or as a direct result of disease.

The pain caused by RSD can become extreme if the area is touched or the site injected.

ElectroMotive Drug Administration (EMDA) offers a painless and effective means to deliver Guanethidine into the tissue. A cap with an adhesive rim is placed over the painful area and 20mg Guanethidine in sterile water is introduced into the cap with a syringe. An electrode is inserted into the solution and this is connected to a MiniPhysionizer and dispersive pad. The instrument is switched on and the current drives the drug through the skin to provide a good concentration in the tissue.

A presentation by Cesare Bonezzi et al. to The World Foundation for Pain relief Research Congress, New York, December 1995, reported an experience with 21 post-traumatic patients. The number of treatments was as required, with a maximum of five. Three patients failed to respond, one partially responded and seventeen showed substantial resolution of superficial RSD symptoms. A copy of the presentation is available on application to Genesis Medical.