The skin at the affected area becomes cool to the touch, and the nails become brittle. Often the spreading pain causes muscle spasms. X-rays taken during the second stage of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome show thinning or damaged joints or bones. Permanent changes may result during the third stage of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. The skin of the affected area becomes drawn, and the muscles and other tissues become wasted and tight.
Joint movement is greatly impaired.
While the pain may remain severe, some patients report a lessening of pain during this stage. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome is poorly understood by patients, their families and health care professionals. It is commonly misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, infection, gout, or some other disorder. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome is not a psychological disease. A common characteristic of the disorder is that the pain is more severe than expected for the type of injury suffered.