[Professional outcome of reflex sympathetic dystrophy].
OBJECTIVE
In spite of physical medicine and rehabilitation care, post-traumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy can be at the origin of articular deficiency, which decrease the capacity to return to work. The aim of this study is to know the professional future of patients who present post-traumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy.


METHODS
Eighteen months prospective study, carried out from patients in age to work, hospitalized in physical medicine and rehabilitation unit for ostéo-articular traumatism complicated by reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Description of the population and comorbidity factors preventing professional resumption. Determination of the duration of medical certificate and the modalities of professional resumption.


RESULTS
From 16 patients in age to work, only 12 were able to resume a full time profession with an average period of 10.5 months +/- 5. The importance of the, the distale articular location of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (wrist - hand, ankle - foot), the association with a comorbidity such as chronic alcoholism represent pejorative factors of working resumption. Organizations of workstation are often necessary in six cases over eight, if the job is not sedentary. In the most complicated cases, inaptitudes in the work are pronounced with demand of professional reclassifying.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-traumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy represents a real challenge for the rehabilitation team, to minimize deficiencies and to help the patient to become again a worker.
Dauty
M
M
Hôpital Saint-Jacques, pôle de médecine physique et réadaptation, CHU Nantes, 44035 cedex 01, Nantes, France
Renaud
P
P
Deniaud
C
C
Tortellier
L
L
Dubois
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers