[johnandjessie]

Hi!
Yesterday at an appointment with my orthopaedic surgeon he mentioned that because of a significant bone density change in my left femur, I may have RSD but he's not sure. Quick rundown... I have a genetic disorder that affects the cartilage on both of my femurs in the same place, so I've undergone 6 knee surgeries since last year, and I'm waiting on a bone and cartilage transplant right now. I know nothing at all about RSD Of course I have pain related to the fact that all of my cartilage is missing, but do I really have this?

[Bussey]

Hi,

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, or, RSD, is a chronically painful and progressive neurological condition, that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. It usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, a patient can develop this condition, after suffering a very minor injury to a limb. Also, as in my case, the cause for developing RSD, may be unknown. There are several characteristics, or symptoms, of this condition. One does not have to suffer from all of them, to be suffering from the condition. Some of those characteristics are, pain, discoloration, edema, hypersensitivity, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, and burning pain in extremities, after injury or surgery.

It is a known fact, that a patient suffering from RSD, can develop osteoporosis in the affected limb, or limbs. Doctors usually use the process of exclusion of other conditions first, when determining whether or not the patient is suffering from RSD. Because you suffer from a genetic disorder, it will have to be determined if your symptoms are due to this condition that you are suffering from, as well as the exclusion of other conditions, before determining that you are suffering from RSD.

To read more about this condition, I suggest that you refer to the following web pages.

http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/index.shtml
http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/diagnosis.shtml

I hope this information will be helpful to you. Take care.

Bussey