The skin may appear abnormally warm or cold and shiny. Hair over the affected area may at first grow coarse and then thin, with eventual hair loss. Often the surrounding area is swollen and tender. The slightest movement of the affected limb may be difficult and painful for the patient. Diagnosing and Treating RSD One of the biggest problems with RSD is getting a diagnosis.
Symptoms are vague and unusual.
Even when RSD is suspected, there is no specific test for the condition. A nerve block, a treatment which temporarily blocks the flow of nerve impulses, may help doctors make the diagnosis. Nerve blocks can also be used to treat RSD symptoms. Medications and physical therapy are also helpful for some patients. In severe cases, surgeons will perform a sympathectomy, a procedure where the nerve pathway is cut, permanently ending the misfire of nerve impulses.