Thermal imaging often helps identify these secondary etiologies of pain. In the case of RSD, it is unfortunate and apparent, Dr. Croft does not fully comprehend the severity of the condition. It is when RSD is in its earliest stage that confirmative diagnosis is mandatory for successful management and prevention of a lifelong disability. Bone complication occurs late in the second stage to third stage, and it is just that, a complication worth trying to prevent. Serial x-rays and scintigraphy are not the method of choice.
Bone scans are nonspecific and often reveal abnormalities on the normal side.
Why would any caring doctor allow the conditions to progress and watch and wait for the bone osteoporotic changes to occur by doing serial x-rays, which is an irreversible and a preventable event I might add. Many patients could have been saved from lifelong disabilities if RSD had been diagnosed early with the help of thermography. Thermography measures surface temperature which is reflective of the autonomics, specifically the sympathetics. It is an absolute truth like a thermometer measuring core body temperature. If thermography is unscientific so is the thermometer.