title: Medical treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
abstract: The treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is not delineated clearly, and there are few controlled studies regarding rehabilitation as medicine. Analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and intra-articular steroids are used widely, but especially in Europe, calcitonin is the primary treatment at early stages of the disease. Local intravenous injections are used currently in case of failure of the previous treatments. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are needed also to decrease pain and to improve stiffness.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Rangueil, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arlet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mazières
mesh_terms: D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002116:Calcitonin