reflex sympathetic dystrophy

pathology

Also known as: shoulder-hand syndrome

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "reflex sympathetic dystrophy" (RSD) refers to a painful disorder that typically follows an injury. It is characterized by burning pain, swelling, and disturbances in movement and sensation, particularly in an extremity. RSD is often considered a type of complex regional pain syndrome where no peripheral nerve injury has been identified.1

It is important to distinguish this from "rejection sensitive dysphoria" (RSD), which is a feeling of severe emotional pain in response to perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. This condition is closely associated with ADHD and is not formally recognized as a clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5. Rejection sensitive dysphoria can lead to emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, and physical symptoms like fatigue and headaches.23

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joint disease
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy—also called shoulder-hand syndrome because pain in the shoulder is associated with pain, swelling, and stiffness of the hand—only rarely develops in the wake of external injury. Most often it follows a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or is associated with…
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Reflex sympathetic dystrophy—also called shoulder-hand syndrome because pain in the shoulder is associated with pain, swelling, and stiffness of the hand—only rarely develops in the wake of external injury. Most often it follows a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or is associated with…
Read More