• J Subbarao and G K Stillwell.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1981 Nov 1;62(11):549-54.

AbstractCase histories of 125 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome of the upper extremity seen from July 1973 to March 1976 were reviewed. There was a 2.9:1 female preponderance. Twenty-four patients had documented litigation pending; however, it did not alter the final outcome significantly. On medical records, progress was noted for 86 patients with 16% having excellent results, 35% good, 26% satisfactory, 6% fair and 17% poor (all subjective evaluations by treating physicians). Median duration of follow-up prior to this study was approximately 2.5 months. Median duration between last clinic visit and follow-up study was 14.5 months. Follow-up letters sent to 123 patients who were believed to be alive showed that 4 patients had died; 77 (63%) replied. The majority of patients (53/77) reported that they still had pain in the shoulder/or hand, but 68% were taking no medications and only 15.3% (12) were taking narcotics. Twenty-eight patients (36%) claimed they were continuing physical therapy at home. Twenty-four (31%) retired or did not go back to the same work. Thirty-five percent were officially disabled, 30% were back at their same jobs and 29/59 female patients (49%) were able to do all the housework. Eighteen patients (23%) were able to return to 100% daily activity, 23 patients (30%) to 75% activity. Eleven patients (14%) had modified their activities considerably and were not able to do well.

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