ABSTRACT
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is the generic term given to a group of clinical entities characterized by an unusually prolonged and excessive pain response to an injury. Clinical features vary but typically consist of burning pain, functional impairment, dystrophic changes, and abnormal vasoconstrictive/vasodilatory responses. More recently, the term complex regional pain syndrome and its subclassifications have replaced other terminology to provide a more accurate description of the varied presentations and mechanisms involved in these syndromes.
