What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)?
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a syndrome that develops after injury. The injury can occur to any part of the body, including legs, arms, head or face. The bodys normal response to any injury is for the nerves to signal pain. This response does a number of things. First a reflex occurs in the spinal cord, which signals if a leg or arm is injured the limb is withdrawn from whatever is causing the injury such as a hot stove. Secondly, the blood vessels get very tight or constrict. This is also a protective response. If the blood vessel is cut, we do not want to bleed excessively, therefore, the nerves make the blood vessel go into spasm, reducing blood loss. The third phase is the emotional or cognitive response. This is where we become aware of what is causing the problem and take appropriate action to correct the situation. In patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, the body never gets quite back to normal. The nerves stay hyperactive causing increased pain and blood vessel spasm
