A Case of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a well-recognized disorder in adult group. But it is rarely diagnosed in the pediatric age group. RSDS is often a response to a physical or an emotional distress. Diagnosis of RSDS is made on a clinical basis whenever a patient with a painful limb presenting two or more of the following signs and symptoms Persistent pain and swelling, vasomotor instability, trophic skin changes in the same extremity and autonomic imbalance. We report a case of RSDS in a 14- year-old girl. Her left arm was cold, edematous and blue with a limited active range of movement. Bone scan and thermography showed abnormal findings in affected arm. Prednisolone therapy, 60mg/day, was started. She also received sympathetic blocks and conservative treatment with physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, psychological therapy and anti-depressants. She showed gradual improvement in symptoms and signs.