Algodystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a progressive disease that causes painful changes in bones, tissue, and skin in response to trauma. It can lead to permanent impairments and muscle contractures. Treatment options include pain management medications, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and surgery. Diagnostic evaluation is important to rule out other conditions.
Algodystrophy is a progressive disease, usually originating in the hands, where bones, tissue and skin undergo painful changes in response to trauma. It is also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), algesystrophy or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Patients with this condition may have permanent impairments due to muscle contractures and pain associated with algodystrophy. Treatment options are available, although the condition cannot be cured.
The reasons why this condition develops are unclear. It usually occurs in response to trauma, but it can be difficult to predict which types of trauma will lead to algodystrophy. The condition begins with a tingling pain in the hand that slowly radiates up the arm. The skin often becomes red and irritated, and patients begin to experience severe joint pain. Nerve damage sometimes occurs, and patients may develop areas of graying skin due to poor oxygenation.
Over time, this condition can cause contractures, where muscles pull back. This can cause the hand to start curling up on itself. The patient will have difficulty straightening the fingers and may lose use of the hand altogether. Contractures can also be very painful. Bone and cartilage growth will be stopped and the patient’s hand and arm often begin to waste away, shrinking considerably in size in some cases. The knuckles and joints may become swollen due to inflammation, and the hand may take on a lumpy, lumpy appearance.
Treatment may include pain management medications to address the pain of the condition. Algodystrophy can also be treated with anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and make the patient feel more comfortable. This can include steroid injections at the site. Physical therapy is sometimes helpful to maintain as much use of the affected arm as possible. Some patients also benefit from treatments such as electrical nerve stimulation to interrupt pain signals or surgery to sever key nerves if the pain doesn’t respond to other treatments.
If a patient appears to be developing this condition, a doctor will usually order some screening tests. This is done to rule out conditions like cellulitis and other infections, which can cause similar symptoms to begin with. Medical imaging studies can be helpful in spotting joint inflammation, as well as changes to your bones and joints. Careful diagnostic evaluation is important, as the approach to treatment will change if the condition is not algodystrophy, and it may be possible to cure the patient if the cause of the pain is another disease.
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