THE DISTAL POSTTRAUMATIC EDEMA - A SYMPTOM OF REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (M SUDECK)

The present paper describes various mechanisms, possibly being involved in the development of the posttraumatic, distally generalized edema. New ideas point to a special importance of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor system for this clinical phenomenon, since this system could induce an enhanced venoconstriction at the exit of the capillary bed, which would result in an edema producing diminished venous return. Since the distally generalized edema is an initially and very commonly occuring symptom of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (M. Sudeck), the observation of such an edema should lead one to look for further symptoms of this disorder, especially for the typical triad of autonomic (sympathetic), motor, and sensory disturbances.