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Sudeck’s syndrome is a disease that leads to gradual atrophy (dystrophy) of muscles and bone loss. If not healed in time, it may lead to the handicap of the diseased part of the body, and further to disability. Its development is primarily exposed to people after bone fractures, joint injuries or frostbite. It is more common in women.
Sudeck’s syndrome – causes
Sudeck’s team is a disease that has many terms: complex regional pain syndrome, allergy-dystrophic syndrome, reflex syndrome sympathetic dystrophy, RDS, post-traumatic thinning or macular atrophy of bone. Its essence is the progressive atrophy of muscles and bones and stiffness of the joints. However, to distinguish Sudeck’s syndrome from other dystrophic diseases should be diagnosed five elements: spontaneous pain, pressure soreness, physical symptoms of local circulation disorders, hyperhidrosis and local osteoporosis. It is not known exactly what is causing it Sudecka syndrome. It is presumed to be responsible for the abnormal activity of the sympathetic nerves, which innervate the damaged part of the body.
Sudeck’s syndrome – risk factors
However, risk factors for the development of the disease are known. For development Sudecka syndrome most often it occurs after bone fractures, joint injuries, contusions of soft tissues, frostbites, burns, and also after nerve damage. The disease usually affects the ankle joint and bones of the wrist and hand – especially after fracture of the distal epiphysis of the radial bone, twisting the wrist joint and contusion of the fingertips. A factor contributing to the development of the disease is improperly and too tightly applied dressing, which causes the limb to be immobilized in the wrong position.
Sudeck syndrome – rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is long-term and depends on the progress in muscle recovery. The older the patient is, the longer it takes. At the same time, it should be added that it is not always carried out early enough, because the disease progresses gradually and its first symptoms are sometimes confused with, for example, fatigue.
Sudeck’s syndrome – physiotherapy
Once the disease is diagnosed, physiotherapeutic measures are often proposed instead of the usual rehabilitation. They must be tailored to the patient’s abilities because Sudeck’s syndrome it may appear in the course of ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), after a heart attack, stroke (the so-called paralytic algodystrophy). Also, the use of drugs, e.g. barbiturates, cyclosporin A, anti-tuberculosis drugs, may contribute to the development of the disease (this is the so-called drug-induced allergy). Other risk factors include inflammatory skin conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, and hormonal imbalance. Therefore, in physiotherapy, both massage, fascial work and kinesiotherapy are used.
In the case of Sudeck’s syndrome, pharmacological treatment is also used.