What is RSDS/CRPS?

According to RSDSA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association):

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) - also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by:

• severe burning pain
• pathological changes in bone and skin
• excessive sweating
• tissue swelling
• extreme sensitivity to touch

There are Two Types of CRPS - Type I and Type II.

• CRPS Type I (also referred to as RSD) - cases in which the nerve injury cannot be immediately identified
• CRPS Type II (also referred to as Causalgia) - cases in which a distinct "major" nerve injury has occurred
• RSD/CRPS is best described in terms of an injury to a nerve or soft tissue (e.g. broken bone) that does not follow the normal healing path
• RSD/CRPS development does not appear to depend on the magnitude of the injury. The sympathetic nervous system seems to assume an abnormal function after an injury
• Since there is no single laboratory test to diagnose RSD/CRPS, the physician must assess and document both subjective complaints (medical history) and, if present, objective findings (physical examination).

Criteria for Diagnosing

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (RSD)

• The presence of an initiating noxious event, or a cause of immobilization
• Continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia with which the pain is disproportionate to any inciting event
• Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of the pain
• This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction
  

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (Causalgia)

• The presence of continuing pain, allodynia, or hyperalgesia after a nerve injury, not necessarily limited to the distribution of the injured nerve
• Evidence at some time of edema, changes in skin blood flow (skin color changes, skin temperature changes more than 1.1°C difference from the homologous body part), or abnormal sudomotor activity in the region of pain
• This diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction.

For more information from RSDSA please visit their website at: http://www.rsds.org

In addition to RSDSA, there is also another very informative National RSDS/CRPS group called American RSDHope.  Their site has extensive descriptions of RSDS/CRPS, treaments, medications, the list truly goes on and on.  http://www.rsdhope.org/

If you're just looking for an overview, checkout An Essay on RSDS/CRPS (by a 5th grader).