Treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy with topical capsaicin. Case report.

Abstract

A 31-year-old woman with intractable reflex sympathetic dystrophy experienced nearly complete, though temporary, resolution of pain following 3 weeks of topical capsaicin. We propose that capsaicin may be a useful treatment for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, either by depleting substance P from primary afferent neurons that mediate allodynia, or by modulating sympathetic efferent activity.

• Authors: William P Cheshire, Clyde R Snyder
• Journal: Pain (Pain) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Pg. 307-311 (Sep 1990) ISSN: 0304-3959 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1701233 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Capsaicin

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Arm
• Capsaicin (therapeutic use)
• Contusions (complications)
• Female
• Ganglia, Sympathetic
• Hand
• Humans
• Nerve Block
• Palliative Care
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)