Physiotherapy
One possible treatment for Sudeck’s disease is physiotherapy. However, physiotherapy cannot be given during the “peak phase” of the disease, when the affected area is affected by swelling, redness, and pain. In this case, elevation and immobilization is preferable to physiotherapy.
If the symptoms have improved, cooling and “descending baths” can be started. These are baths that are tempered to about 1-2 degrees below the body core temperature and are lowered by another 1-2 degrees every 15 minutes. Originally used to reduce fever in people with fever, they are also used in Sudeck’s disease.
Manual lymph drainage can also be performed: For this purpose, lymph fluid is drained from the affected tissue, thus reducing the swelling. Additional compression accelerates lymph drainage and reduces lymph congestion within the lymph vessels. As the swelling decreases, the pain is reduced and the range of movement increases.
Ergotherapy
The goal of occupational therapy is to reintroduce the patient to his or her home and everyday environment, while allowing him or her the greatest possible degree of independence, productivity and leisure time. Similar to physiotherapy, occupational therapy for Sudeck’s disease also works with lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling. Furthermore, special movement concepts, such as the use of sound, strengthen the muscles and optimize movement sequences.
Reintegrating the patient into everyday life is the primary goal of the occupational therapy-supported treatment of Sudeck’s disease.This also includes learning how to use aids as efficiently as possible and how to apply them as sensibly as possible in everyday life. A further goal of occupational therapy is to build up strength in the affected muscle groups in a targeted manner. An important part of the therapy is therefore the use of special, dynamic splints, which have been proven to help build strength.
