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Avatar universal

Does PAF increase the risk of RSD

Hello.  A newbie here with a new problem. I have had Primary Autonomic
Failure of all systems except respiratory for 4 years. I hope someone
can help me understand how this affects radial nerve damage.
I had CMC arthroplasty with tendon transfer in July.  They removed the
arthritic bone (trapezium) in my R wrist and used a flexor tendon to maintain spacing.
When the second cast was removed after 6 weeks I had what seemed to be just a
bruise and mild discomfort. But since then I have had  redness, heat, swelling, and
pain ( now with activity about a 7- 8 on a scale of ten) increase daily.
The area from the base of my thumb past my radial wrist bone feels  like
a bad sunburn and is sensitive to the slightest touch.  The same area is
red and swollen. The area of the transplant increasingly feels like a deep bruise.
The hand therapist is concerned that the nerve involvement  could turn into
RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) and affect my entire arm. ( The risk is only
about 5%.) I began using a TENS unit today and started taking Lyrica,
which is supposed to aid nerve healing as well as calm the pain.
My question is:  Does having PAF put me at a higher risk of developing RSD?
4 Responses
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986162 tn?1297438441
You have a very good question. I did some research and couldn't find anything that would answer it. I also have PAF, we should compare notes sometime.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for looking.  
I'll be gone next week for family reunion. Will appreciate any ideas you
leave on posts when I get back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What you describe sounds like you HAVE RSD/CRPS and the treatment (TENS/Lyrica) are treatments for RSD.

Aggressive treatment for RSD/CRPS is what is critical.  I was diagnosed with RSD 2 months after onset, but the docs refused treatment for another 5 months--now it seems to be a permanent condition.  This was due to their ignorance, I believe.  

The best scenario for RSD/CRPS is aggressive early treatment; in many people this causes it to go away completely.

Joshua Prager M.D. in LA has some excellent information available on the web about this disease.

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks.  Fortunately my ortho took my nerve damage seriously, and with the treatment you mentioned it is now nearly completely resolved.  Wish you'd had the same result.
Anne
Helpful - 0
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