RSD Alert

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Index to non-Drug Treatments for RSD/CRPS

RSD Alert is a voluntary organisation publishinginformation about CRPS (traditonally known as RSD). Most of the date is provided by readers.
NOTE: what works for one person may not work for others. Always consult your medical advisor about your own treatment.

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Treatments

Treatments on RSD Alert

(Information - plus comments from correspondents)

Radio Frequency Lesioning
Description
 A method of performing sympathectomy (cutting through sympathetic nerves) by burning the nerves with RF.
Notes

 

Comments
I was in a car accident on Sept. 4, 1999. I had a whiplash injury. By October 1999, I started having problems with both my feet. Burning sensation, unable to walk without severe pain that kept getting worse. By December 1999. The pain was on the tops of both feet, it covered my entire right arm from the fingers to the shoulder, and was on the wrist of my left arm. I was not diagnosed with RSD until July of 2000. I accidentally found this doctor on the internet under chronic pain. I have had 3 preliminary blocks, two for my right arm and one for both feet. I have had one permanent block using radio frequency lesioning on my right arm and one on my right leg. The permanent blocks usually work for 9 months. RFL works by burning the sympathetic nerve. The Doctor uses needles similar to acupuncture needles and a CT scanner to find the right nerve. The nerve is then burned in a process that usually takes several hours. It is done on an outpatient basis. The area is sensitive for several hours after the procedure, but you can resume normal activity the next day. The relief lasted for me for 9 months. A very good 9 months. Some lesioning lasts longer, some just doesn't work. The two blocks that I have had, both worked for me.
From what I understand about RSD, the pain needs to be Sympathetically maintained pain for this kind of block to work. Before the first lesioning, my nerves were very bad, but they are good now. I am sleeping better and am functioning pretty well. It is not a cure but it does help get your life back on track.
For technical information on Radio Frequency lesioning go to http://www.doctor@hiesiger.com - I found this web site when I was looking for a doctor. Jen - Pennsylvania, USA

I had 2 Radio Frequenting Thermo Coagulation sympathectomies
Radio Frequenting Thermo Coagulation is a probe through your abdomen that goes to you spine while the doctor watches the probe through an endoscope. When he/she gets to the right point they turn on the probe and it burns out your ganglion or nerve ending. I was told that I was strong enough to take the pain so was not sedated during the procedure. I would not let an experimental rat go through the pain I had! Susan - California, USA

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