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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Specialist

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Specialist Serving DFW, Frisco, Sunnyvale, and Mesquite TX

Some common symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy include burning pain, sensitivity to touch, changes in skin temperature and complexion, and excessive sweating. Treatments are available today for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Dr. Andrew Morchower M.D., M.P.H., and our team of professionals today at OmniSpine Pain Management are here to help you. For more information, contact us today or request an appointment. We serve patients in Frisco, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, and Mesquite, TX.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Specialist Near Me Serving DFW, Frisco, Sunnyvale and Mesquite TX
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Specialist Near Me Serving DFW, Frisco, Sunnyvale and Mesquite TX

Table of Contents:

What causes reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
What are the symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
Is reflex sympathetic dystrophy real?
Is reflex sympathetic dystrophy fatal?

What causes reflex sympathetic dystrophy?


After an injury, stroke, or heart attack, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) causes lasting pain, usually in the arm or leg. However, the resulting pain is typically more severe than the original injury. Many cases can be treated by doctors, even though they don’t know what causes it.

RSD pain is thought to be caused by problems in your sympathetic nervous system. Your sympathetic nervous system regulates your heart rate and blood pressure by controlling blood flow movements.

In order to prevent excessive blood loss at your injury site, your sympathetic nervous system tells your blood vessels to shrink. They are later instructed to open up again to allow blood to reach damaged tissues.

Your sympathetic nervous system receives mixed signals when you have RSD. It turns on after an injury but doesn’t turn off again. You will experience a lot of pain and swelling at the site of your injury.

RSD can sometimes occur without an injury, but it’s less common. Women are more likely to suffer from RSD than men. Usually, it shows up between the ages of 30 and 60, though it can occur in children as well.

What are the symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy?


The symptoms of RSD may appear slowly at first. Over time, you may experience pain that gets worse. At first, you may not realize your pain is abnormal. RSD usually affects your arm, shoulder, leg, or hip. Pain usually spreads beyond the site of the injury. Other parts of your body can also be affected by symptoms.

RSD can impact the immune system leading to symptoms of redness, swelling, or skin that is warm to the touch around the injury. The pain associated with RSD is typically severe and constant often described as burning, aching, throbbing, deep, or cold. The skin may also feel sensitive to things that wouldn’t typically cause discomfort like putting on clothes.

Is reflex sympathetic dystrophy real?


Often, doctors don’t know that your pain is caused by RSD until it has been present for a while. RSD can be detected when pain doesn’t go away or is more severe than it should be for your type of injury.

There is no single test that can determine whether you have RSD. Your medical history and a physical exam will be used instead. Several tests can also provide clues as to whether you have certain signs of the disease. How Long Does Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Last?

RDS occurs in different stages which determine how long-lasting it will be. The acute form often lasts for approximately 3 months. If the process is not treated during the acute phase RDS can progress to the subacute phase which can last up to 9 months. Eventually, the condition becomes chronic.

The key to treating RSD is early detection. If you catch it early, your treatment will be more effective. There are some cases of RSD that do not respond to treatment. Many of the symptoms of RSD can be treated, but there is no cure for the condition.

You may need a sympathectomy if your pain doesn’t go away after treatment. Your blood flow is improved by removing certain nerves around your blood vessels during this procedure.

Is reflex sympathetic dystrophy fatal?


In and of itself RSD is not considered fatal. However, the ramifications of living life in chronic pain can decrease an individual’s life expectancy for a variety of reasons. Limited mobility resulting from chronic pain can lead to an inactive lifestyle and unhealthy weight gain. The condition can also adversely affect mental health, heightening stress or depression, and overall wellness leading to a host of potentially different life-shortening results. Treatment for RSD is available at OmniSpine Pain Management Clinics. For more information, contact us today or request an appointment. Our clinics are located in Frisco, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, and Mesquite, TX. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Frisco TX, Mesquite TX, Sunnyvale TX, Plano TX, Garland TX, Forney TX, Cedar Hill TX, Denton TX, Balch Springs TX, and surrounding areas.

Our Locations

Mesquite, TX

Sunnyvale, TX

Frisco, TX

  • 8380 Warren Pkwy, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034
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