Good article written by Schwartzman a few months back posted by fmichael. It can also be found on PubMed addressing (amongst others) this issue.

I can't find this article - can someone post a link to it when they get a chance?

Thanks, Sandy

Jim you bring up an interesting point. I think that part of the prevalence of RSD is a modern, first world lifestyle. Whenever I read a book or watch a history show on a different era, I always think "Man, I never would have survived during that time." But then I always remind myself that I wouldn't have been doing gymnastics all day every day in the 15th century. So the problem probably wouldn't have presented itself.

I just always think that this is an interesting question to ponder. And I wouldn't be surprised if the incidence of RSD is the same across all races. It's like any other condition- awareness levels predict diagnosis rates. People who do not have access to health care are not going to be diagnosed. You usually only see pronounced differences across races when the disease has a genetic origin- something like Tay-Sachs.

Lynn

Very true. Many folks in the US have a hell of a time getting a diagnosis let alone a third world country having the medical support and know how. As far as a modern ailment I doubt it. Keep in mind this disease was first identified during the American Civil War when a doctor Silas Weir Mitchell noticed gun shot wounds healing with no diminishing of the pain but spreading instead. And most likely was never pinned down through the ages. Can you imagine suffering from this disease in the 15th century? You'd most likely be pinned as a nut and would be cassed out. I bet if one was to research closely one could problably find what looks to be RSD many moons ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_...etic_Dystrophy

"It is also theorized that certain people might be genetically predisposed to develop symptoms of RSD/CRPS after a significant or seemingly insignificant injury has been sustained.[17] These tests are being performed by The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA), American RSD Hope, and Richard G. Boles, M.D. Research began in October 2008, but the outcome has yet to be released to the medical community.[18]"

There could very well be a genetic factor with this desease but would be hard to research because of its rarity and often misdiagnosed. But should be persued never the less, and perhaps it has in a limited way in the past. It could lead to treatment or cure if a contrast can be found between those who are predisposed to this disease and those who aren't.

I'd like to add, it seems phantom pain might be a variant of RSD or a link of some sort in the brain that may have some kind of blueprint of our DNA imprinted in someway that when it is broken the nervous system goes into overdrive. If this is the case it would be easier to see how different races respond to or have a lack of phantom pain if infact there are differences. It would be much easier to track down and interview those with missing limbs and or interviewing doctors around the world.

http://www.depression-guide.com/brai...antom-pain.htm

I think I'd be pegged a bit of a nut no matter what era I was in! The thing I always wonder about it having epilepsy in another age- having seizures that are totally misunderstood and being labeled a witch. It's interesting how these things happen.

If you are interested in phantom pain, I would recommend looking up the work of V.S. Ramachandran- I had the pleasure of taking a class from him at UCSD, and he's done some really cool work on this. There's a clip from NOVA that's really a good watch. He does this "mirror therapy" on people who have phantom pain, and it seems to work really nicely. Magically almost. It makes me wonder sometimes if we focus on the limbs that do work if it will convince our brains to make our affected limbs to be less painful. (That sounds so simplistic, but that is what mirror therapy breaks down to... and no, no implication that this means anyone is crazy!) But at the end of the day, it all really is in our brains- I mean, that's where everything is!

Thank you for this though provoking subject and discussion!

Lynn

Don't flame me on this but while there does seem to be a prevelance towards the northern european gene-thing, I think it is important to remember that there is a greater gender predisposition (3:1) towards women and in almost all cases, there is a history of anywhere from minor to significant trauma, of varying types. I read the late 1800's work of the physician who wrote of causalgia and his book dealt almost exclusively with trauma cases. All of the other loose associations like immune issuse and ACE inhibitors are interesting to say the least, but not proven!