Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Vol 81, Issue 4 198-205, Copyright © 1991 by American Podiatric Medical Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Use of thermography for initial detection of early reflex sympathetic dystrophy

KW Karstetter and RA Sherman
Department of Surgery, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045-5001.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is one of a complex of overlapping, sympathetically maintained pain syndromes which are usually initiated by a minor injury that resolves quickly but leaves behind a persistent pain that generalizes to much or all of the limb. The pathophysiology of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is reviewed to show that the pain is accompanied by cooling of the limb, beginning with the distal end and gradually progressing throughout. Thermography is shown to be an effective way to monitor near-surface blood flow in the limbs and to be sensitive to changes accompanying painful conditions. The usefulness of this technique for early detection of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is demonstrated and illustrated with several examples.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Finnoff Differentiation and Treatment of Phantom Sensation, Phantom Pain, and Residual-Limb Pain J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, January 1, 2001; 91(1): 23 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. T. Marshall and A. J. Crisp Reflex sympathetic dystrophy Rheumatology, July 1, 2000; 39(7): 692 - 695. [Full Text] [PDF]

				H M. Oerlemans, R. S. Perez, R. A. Oostendorp, and R J. A Goris Objective and subjective assessments of temperature differences between the hands in reflex sympathetic dystrophy Clinical Rehabilitation, May 1, 1999; 13(5): 430 - 438. [Abstract] [PDF]