[Persistent pain following discal sciatica: reflex sympathetic dystrophy, an unusual complication to be examined. Apropos of 4 cases]

Abstract

Four patients who developed unilateral reflex sympathetic dystrophy of a lower limb associated with a bout of sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation are reported herein. In two cases, reflex sympathetic dystrophy developed after resolution of the sciatica, whereas the two conditions were concomitant in the two other patients. In all four patients, the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was missed. Surgery to release the root was considered in two cases. The reflex sympathetic dystrophy resolved within 1 to 3 months in every case. In view of the incidences of these two conditions, their concomitant occurrence seems rare. To avoid unwarranted therapeutic procedures, reflex sympathetic dystrophy should be considered in patients with chronic painful manifestations accompanying root involvement.