reflex sympathetic dystrophy

noun

: a painful disorder that usually follows a localized injury, that is marked by burning pain, swelling, and motor and sensory disturbances especially of an extremity, and that is often considered a type of complex regional pain syndrome in which peripheral nerve injury has not been identified

—abbreviation RSD

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In some cases of chronic pain, what begins as an acute, localized injury spreads and becomes a generalized pain syndrome known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy. —Jill Neimark, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2013

Williams was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a pain disorder with no clear cause that can persist for years. —Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2020

Appelbaum, who lives with chronic pain (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), co-founded the lab with Whetter and works as the vice president of communications at RespectAbility. —Laura Zornosa, chicagotribune.com, 20 Aug. 2020

Cynthia McCullough of Charlotte told her insurer that reflex sympathetic dystrophy left her unable to bathe and dress. —Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, 10 Mar. 2018

The injury led to the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome, which has no cure. —Robert Rhoden, NOLA.com, 17 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

reflex sympathetic dystrophy

noun

: a painful disorder that usually follows a localized injury, that is marked by burning pain, swelling, and motor and sensory disturbances especially of an extremity, and that is often considered a type of complex regional pain syndrome in which peripheral nerve injury has not been identified

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a pain syndrome of unknown pathophysiology that affects the foot or the hand. The disorder may be caused by trauma or surgery or may develop spontaneously.

—Marius A. Kemler et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

—abbreviation RSD see shoulder-hand syndrome