Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Dear Ask The Doctor: Is it ever to late to Desensitize a foot, I have had it for 6 years

Dear Victor: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), it can be considered an excessive sympathetic reaction (the sympathetic is part of the “automatic” nervous system) of joints and  soft tissues around to any injury, traumatic or unknown. RSD is characterized by pain, regional edema, joint stiffness, muscular atrophy, vasomotor disturbances like temperature and color changes), skin changes, and regional bone demineralization seen on X-rays. These changes are worsen by activity and extend over a larger area than the primary injury or surgery, including the area distal to this focus.The recommended treatment for RSD is as follows: physical therapy with active and passive range-of-motion exercises, TENS for pain management, desensitization techniques and sensory reeducation of the affected limb. .Analgesic medication and some antidepressants are used to control pain. If these conservative measures fail to produce the expected improvement, then epidural or intra articular injections may be considered along with regional ganglion blockage. No , 6 years is not late, you should be still trying desensitization.