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Diagnosis of Sympathetic Reflex Dystrophy
Differential Diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
A variety of other conditions can mimic the signs and symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and have to be ruled out before a definite diagnosis of RSD can be established. These include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Lumbar or cervical disk herniation
- Peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy
- Nerve entrapment syndromes (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Septic arthritis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Cellulitis
- Vascular insufficiency
- Lymphedema
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Patella (kneecap) injuries
- Meniscal tears
- Femoral/tibial injury or fracture
