i read an article that i need to try to find about mice getting rsd. in this test the drs had somehow found a link between rsd and the immune system. i have also read articles that say that the chances are greatly increased in getting rsd if your injury is immobilized. i got rsd after having my broken wrist got a closed reduction and then was immobilized. i had a plaster cast from my fingers right up and over my elbow. it was horrible and the and pain and swelling got so bad i asked the dr after a few weeks to take of the heavy plaster cast. he did and put on a fiberglass cast that was lighter and only went up to my forearm and not over my elbow. but at that point atrophy was already setting in from rsd. and the pain was excruciating. i also started having terrible spasms in my shoulder.it took the dr several months later to realize i had rsd after my swelling still wouldn't go down and i lost movement to my wrist and hand and elbow and shoulder. i eventually got some movement back in all except my wrist. the drs don't think that i will ever be able to bend my wrist again.