Neurological Associates

Pain Management Center

Vero Beach, Florida

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RSD PUZZLE #59
Sympathectomy and Amputation


Question:

I have had this disgusting disease for 5 miserable years. I've been through every nerve block, medication, and procedure. Now I am having very bad ulcers on my foot that are infected. My doctors want me to have a sympathectomy or amputation.

Wilma

Answer:

Dear Wilma,

Do not let anyone do a sympathectomy or amputation. If you have an amputation your RSD will accelerate several times and you will have dozens of nerves in the stump of the amputation causing dozens of sources of RSD and Causalgia.

A sympathectomy, be it surgical or chemical, is useless for your advanced RSD. It will cause rapid spread of your RSD to other parts of the body. A chemical sympathectomy is as destructive as a surgical sympathectomy. The surgical sympathectomy is at least clean and circumscribed. The chemical sympathectomy damages the surrounding normal tissues and causes more scarring and pain.

There are many things that can be done for your ulcers. Immediate avoidance of ice application, switching to soaking in a warm bath with a small amounts of Epsom salt, weight bearing and walking, and I.V. Mannitol treatment, and treatment with ACTH are some things which will probably help. Expose your extremity to fresh air and do not keep it wrapped up in dressings.

H. Hooshmand, M.D.

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Copyright © 1997-2006 H. Hooshmand, M.D. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system other than this specific media, transcribed, or translated into any language without the expressed written permission from the author; H. Hooshmand, M.D. and Eric Phillips and CMNE. This material is for informational and education purposes. It is not meant to take the place of your physician. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult your physician.

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The material on the Neurological Associates Pain Management Center Homepage and all it's associated, linked or reference pages is for informational and education purposes. It is not meant to take the place of your physician. Before starting, changing, or stopping any treatments or medicines consult your physician. H. Hooshmand, M.D., Neurological Associates Pain Management Center and Associates will not be held liable for any damage or loss as a result of information provided on this page or associated documentation. Again, this WEB SITE is simply published as an information source and should not be used to treat or make judgments on RSD/CRPS. All associated material on this web site may not be copied, reproduced or quoted without expressed written permission from the owner; Copyright © 1999-2006 H. Hooshmand, M.D.

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This page was last updated on 3/11/2000.