Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in quadriplegia: case report.

Abstract

A patient with quadriplegia developed severe localized unilateral hand pain associated with clinical evidence of abnormal sympathetic hand activity. Diagnosis revealed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), which was resolved with conservative management. The association of RSD with spinal cord injury has been reported only rarely. Since few speculations about this condition have been made, we suggest that unexplained painful syndromes in the extremities of patients with spinal cord injury be carefully evaluated to rule out the possibility of RSD.