Differential diagnosis alternative causes

A number of other diseases can fake more or less symptoms of Sudeck’s disease. The following diseases are among them:

FracturesBone fracture
DistortionsContusions (dislocation bruises)
Compartment syndrome
Overload syndrome
Thoracic-outlet syndrome e.g. caused by a cervical rib
Peripheral nerve constriction syndrome (nerve constriction of various causes)
Lymph congestion (edema)
Myofascial pain syndromeFibromyalgia (soft tissue rheumatism)
Phlegmons (tissue inflammation) and other bacterial inflammatory diseases
Insect bite
Posttraumatic vasospasm (vasoconstriction)
Raynaud’s syndrome and other arterial circulatory disorders
ThrombosisThrombophlebitis
Rheumatoid inflammatory diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis

Stadiums

Staging: Sudeck’s disease is divided into 3 stages. Stage I (classification criteria): Acute inflammation, sympathetic dysfunction, usually after 2-8 weeks after the accident symptoms:

Acute onset (hours/days) after trauma
Inflammatory phase with hyperemia
Edematous swelling
Spontaneous and stress pain
Overheated, often shiny skin (reddish/livid)
Pain at rest especially at night
Pain in movement and strain
Restricted joint mobility
Increased touch sensitivity
Hyperhidrosis, hypertrichosis, increased nail growth

Stage II (classification criteria) Chronic dystrophy: Symptoms: Stage III (classification criteria): Irreversible atrophy symptoms:

Dystrophy
Reduction of swelling
Pain of movement
The skin impresses as pale “shiny skin
Beginning joint stiffening
Reduction of pain at rest
Palmare/plantar fibrosis
Soft tissue shrinkage
Pale, cool, shiny skin
Atrophy after approx. 3-12 months
Malfunction
Contractures
Atrophic, dry waxy skin
Decreasing pain
Advanced joint stiffening
Muscular atrophy
Force reduction
Suction. “Weather sensitivity” of the complaints