Appearance

When does Sudeck’s disease occur? 50% after 25% without 20% after 5% after

Contusions (bruises)
Sprains
Fractures (bone fracturesBone fracture)
Luxations (joint dislocations)
After OperationsOperation
Obvious cause
Neuropathies (nervous diseases)
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Coronary insufficiency (coronary artery disease)
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Medication (e.g. barbiturates (sleeping pills))

Frequency

Due to the many different symptoms, the diagnosis of Sudeck’s disease is difficult. There is no gold standard. The history of the disease (anamnesis), the clinical examination and the physician’s experience with the clinical picture are of decisive importance.

X-ray examinations in side comparison are desirable. However, the first changes can only be detected weeks after the onset of the disease. Signs of Sudeck’s disease are spotty, diffuse bone decalcification.

See: X-ray MRI examinations of the affected area (MRI of the hand or MRI of the foot) with i. v. gadolinium administration show signal elevations of the soft tissues and bones even in the early stages. The low specificity of this examination is problematic. Although Sudeck’s typical changes can be detected early (high sensitivity), other clinical pictures can also cause such changes.

The MRI must therefore always be seen in the context of all other disease symptoms. It alone does not prove a Sudeck’s disease. Skeletal scintigraphy

The 3-phase skeletal scintigraphy with 99 Tc-diphosphonate shows with high sensitivity and specificity an increased periartricular bone remodeling with hyperemia and hyperperfusion as a typical sign already in the early stages.

Thermography

Thermography is performed with an infrared camera. A temperature difference of 1.5 – 2°C compared to the healthy side is indicative. Sudometry

Quantitative sudometry is used to determine the difference in humidity in a welding chamber.

Thermography is performed with an infrared camera. A temperature difference of 1.5 – 2°C compared to the healthy side is indicative.

Sudometry

Quantitative sudometry is used to determine the difference in humidity in a welding chamber. Thermography is performed with an infrared camera. A temperature difference of 1.5 – 2°C compared to the healthy side is indicative. Quantitative sudometry is used to determine the difference in humidity in a welding chamber.