Tammy R.
I am a Certified Hand Therapist and have had a lot of experience with RSD. Early treatment is essential. Two important keys to successful treatment. #1: Interrupting the abnormal sympathetic reflex. There are various approaches - often including medication and/or "nerve blocks". #2: In terms of therapy -- with the goal of restoring motion and function (to the involved extremity)...one must ALWAYS work within pain-free limits. Intervention #1 and #2 must work together -- not one independent of the other. There are LOTS of misconceptions and misleading information out there. Be careful. If any treatment approach is making you worse -- then use common sense. If your doctor is not taking time to listen to you -- find one that will. As for specialists -- in Columbus Ohio, often the anesthesiologists are the ones who provide medical management for RSD cases. That is not always the case -- but is typical here. Let me know if you have any other (more specific) questions. Tammy R.