title: Amputation for reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
abstract: We have reviewed 28 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) who had 34 amputations in 31 limbs. The amputations had been performed for untenable pain (5), recurrent infection (14) or to improve residual function (15). Only two patients were relieved of pain by amputation, and this could not be predicted. Ten of 14 patients were cured of infection and 9 of 15 patients had improvement of residual function. In 28 of the amputations, RSD recurred in the stump, especially after amputation at a level which was not free from symptoms. Because of recurrence of RSD in the stump or severe hyperpathia only two patients wear a prosthesis. Despite this 24 patients were satisfied with the results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Dielissen
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Claassen
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Veldman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Goris
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies