Im just wondering if i have to go threw any test . All three of my Doctors determine by visable signs, color changes, swelling, tremors , hurt to touch, one and is larger then the other and ther molted and shiney. Thank You

Hi, My diagnosis came from observation similar to yours. We moved 4 months after initial diagnosis, and I changed ortho docs. The new one ran several tests to determinbe the damage. These were additional, updated x-ray to compare tp previous ones, a nerve function test,. and a bone test (an x-ray after iv injection of substance to see condition of bones.) Hope this helps. Susie

From what I learned there is no single diagnostic test to determine RSD or causalgia. It is primarily based on the symptoms that are presented. When my husband first had the problem they sent him to a Pain Clinic. The doctor there was the first to discuss RSD/causalgia with us. He did 2 sympathetic blocks to which my husband had no relief. He said that it was not RSD/causalgia if he didn't respond to the blocks. I have since read that this is not true. Not all rsd sufferers respond to these pain blocks. If you don't it just means your pain is my sympathetically maintained, but it doesn't mean you don't have RSD. So be careful of falling into that trap. The Pain Clinic doctor did tell us that early treatment is crucial to slowing the disease (which I have also read is very true), so when he said he didn't have RSD/causalgia we then thought things would get better over time on their own (they didn't). My husband was in that early onset phase and I'm afraid we have now missed the time to possibly stop this disease. The point I'm making is 1) there is no single diagnostic test and 2) if they rule it out don't just accept that, find another doctor and 3) don't give up on treatment

Best of luck to you.

Hi Fire,
Lisa is so right! There really is no test do diagnose RSD. It's the symptoms us RSD'ers have. I know when I had my carpal tunnal surgery and there was still pain after a week or more, slow healing, my hand was turning red, purple, shiney appearence. chronic on going pain so bad, that it puts me to this day, still in a deep ugly depression.
The Dr. who did my surgery diagnoised it, sent me to a pain clinic. I was in such denial, that I went to four pain dr.'s a hand, wrist specialist that woke me up to this awful beast. ~Love, Desi

Thank You my signs are very visable, i was just making sure the 3 doctors i saw were right. I see a 4 one this thursday to see what kind of blocks he wants to do. I will never give up

I was also sent to Pain Doctor and nerologist who said in report RSD/CRPS 1 and 2. So this thursday i go to anouther specialist who is the only one in Syracuse who does the blocks. I am nervous because up till this year i was bascial told it was in my head. So sick of doctors but need some relief. Thank you for your advice. Darlene

Fire- the blocks could really help you- I dont know how long you have had rsd- but its agood place to start. I had one block as dx. Then followed with 21 more. SLB. but I was dx too late for it to help. I tried though. Good luck to you. Oh the other test I had were thermograph, three phase bone mri, vibartion test, temperature tests- hot and cold- I cant remember the name of them.x rays I think that is it- but the real way is a doctor who is familar and knows RSd. Good luck to you, CZ

Hi. Unfortunately from what I have learnt there is no test to diagnose or rule out RSD. My doctor diagnosed me with RSD based upon the symptoms - I have the burning pain, hypersenstivity, spasms, colour changes, temperature and hair and nail changes, dystonia etc. I also had an MRI scan, X-Rays and Blood Tests.
Love and best wishes
Alison

To some extent the diagnosis of RSD is really a process of elimination. They test you for everything it might be and if they're all negative then it's RSD. It's not this simple and some people have more overt symptoms than others. They gave me a thermographic exam which suggested RSD and then a stellate ganglion nerve block which confirmed it. When the ganglion is anesthetized the hand will return to normal. Mine warmed up and the pain and symptoms vanished.