| Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a type of | | | | one wears or carries with himself. Treatment is |
| neuropathic pain that manifests itself as a complex | | | | directed at the relief of pain so the patient can begin |
| regional pain syndrome. It is a chronic condition, | | | | more progressive rehabilitation caused by the disease |
| meaning it can last a lifetime. | | | | itself. Stimulation of the spinal cord and nerve endings |
| Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a complicated | | | | by electrical current is done to relieve pain. |
| nervous system disorder characterized by a severe | | | | New Therapy Treatment |
| burning pain, usually localized, but may spread, and | | | | Others who have used TENS have found that |
| which is accompanied by abnormal changes in the | | | | although there is significant pain relief during the initial |
| bone and skin in the area. Excessive sweating, tissue | | | | phase, there is a drop off after several weeks of |
| swelling, and an extreme sensitivity to touch are also | | | | therapy. One of the problems with TENS is the |
| common characteristics. RSD is diagnosed when there | | | | modality itself does not have what is called |
| is pain, swelling or change in color or increase or | | | | "carryover" relief, i.e. when the unit is turned off, the |
| decrease of blood flow in the particular affected | | | | pain comes back. Interferential has been used for |
| area. It is three times more likely to occur in women | | | | relief and has the benefit of extending relief |
| than men | | | | post-treatment. Because the units are large, |
| Symptoms | | | | expensive, and require greater amounts of electrical |
| Symptoms may include constant chronic burning pain | | | | energy, the patient would have to go to a facility for |
| (stabbing, sharp accompanied by tingling sensation). | | | | treatments. |
| The painful area may be hot or cold and very | | | | Today that is no longer the case. The interferential |
| sensitive to touch. Often the patient experiences | | | | unit is portable, powered by AC adapter or batteries |
| difficulty in sleeping, emotional distress, and fatigue or | | | | for home use. The patient can self treat as needed. |
| general weakness. The patient may experience long | | | | The carryover relief period seems to extend for |
| term wasting of the muscles in the extremities due | | | | longer periods of time as more treatments are done. |
| to inactivity brought on by pain. | | | | Some patients may have pain relief for only a few |
| Traditional Therapy | | | | hours or days after treatment. From limited |
| Treatment modalities for RSD have included various | | | | observations with the new interferential units, it |
| medications, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve | | | | appears that the carryover pain relief is extending. |
| blocks, placement of spinal cord stimulators, as well | | | | Interferential is the most used form of clinical |
| as the use of a morphine pump. The preferred | | | | electrotherapy for chronic pain in the world. And now |
| method to treat RSD includes sympathetic block and | | | | the units is available for home use and the patient |
| physical therapy incorporating the use of | | | | has the control to self treat when needed, not when |
| electrotherapy which historically has been through use | | | | an appointment can be scheduled. |
| of a TENS unit, a small battery powered generator | | | | |