2024-03-04 12:12:57
Sudeck’s disease sometimes causes permanent damage – especially if left untreated. What long-term consequences the pain syndrome can have.
Sudeck’s disease is an old name for a disease described by the German surgeon Paul Sudeck in 1900. Today it is called complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS for short.
It can develop after an injury to an arm or leg long after it has actually begun to heal – often only two or three months after the causal accident or operation. Instead of improvement, those affected experience severe pain and other distressing symptoms that can no longer be explained by the original injury.
Why and how exactly they arise has not yet been fully researched. Nevertheless, Sudeck’s disease can be treated using a combination of different measures. Early therapy is important to prevent lasting long-term effects.
Sudeck’s disease – this course is typical
Sudeck’s disease initially causes pain that can no longer be explained by the original injury. They worsen with exertion and often with pressure, heat or cold.
In many cases, there are additional complaints. For example, the affected body part – usually an arm, hand, leg or foot – may be swollen, red, overheated, hypersensitive and limited in strength and mobility. In some sufferers, however, a pale bluish discoloration can be observed and the injured part of the body feels cold.
Symptoms are more severe than the recovery process would suggest and last longer. In addition, they are not only felt in the originally affected area, but also extend to adjacent areas.
However, it cannot be said with certainty in advance how the symptoms will develop. Because Sudeck’s disease does not develop the same in all sufferers.
Sudeck’s disease – these long-term consequences can occur
Sudeck’s disease can develop in very different ways. Accordingly, not every sick person has to expect the same symptoms and long-term consequences. But one thing is clear: the longer the painful part of the body is not moved, the higher the risk that the tendons will shorten, the muscles will shrink and the joint will stiffen.
Permanently impaired mobility is one of the possible long-term consequences of Sudeck’s disease. In addition, tissue loss and thinning of the skin may occur. Sometimes the growth of nails and hair also changes.
Added to this are the psychological effects that Sudeck’s disease – like many chronic illnesses – can have. For example, some sufferers suffer from anxiety and sleep disorders.
Sudeck’s disease – how can long-term consequences be prevented?
Early therapy can reduce the risk of long-term effects. The treatment usually consists of various measures. Which of these help and how well has not yet been sufficiently researched. Experts currently assume that a combination of different remedies is necessary to bring about improvement.
On the one hand, the treatment involves certain medications, such as pain medication. On the other hand, the therapy includes non-drug measures such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and/or psychotherapy.
The treatment is usually lengthy and requires a lot of patience. In many cases, recovery takes months or even years.
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