Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremity in tetraplegia: Case report

Todd P. Lefkoe; Diana D. Cardenas

doi:10.1038/sc.1996.44

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremity in tetraplegia: Case report

Todd P. Lefkoe, Diana D. Cardenas

Rehabilitation Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the upper extremities has been reported to occur following complete and incomplete injuries of the cervical cord. Such reports describe the value of the three-phase radionuclide bone scan (TPBS) in differentiating RSD from pain of other sources. To our knowledge, RSD of the lower extremities has not been reported in a patient with tetraplegia. We report a case of lower extremity RSD in a patient with a complete traumatic injury of the cervical cord. The case illustrates the use of the TPBS to differentiate RSD from heterotopic ossification (HO) in the lower extremities. The successful use of the alpha-adrenergic blocker, phenoxybenzamine, in the treatment of RSD is described. Follow-up to 30 months has shown no evidence of recurrence, and complete resolution of the scintigraphic findings.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	239-242
Number of pages	4
Journal	Spinal Cord
Volume	34
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1996.44
State	Published - Jan 1 1996

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Keywords

lower extremities
pain syndromes
phenoxybenzamine
reflex sympathetic dystrophy
tetraplegia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Neurology

Cite this

Lefkoe, T. P., & Cardenas, D. D. (1996). Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremity in tetraplegia: Case report. Spinal Cord, 34(4), 239-242. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1996.44

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10.1038/sc.1996.44