[Local intravenous treatment of algodystrophy of the hand: buflomedil versus guanethidine, long term follow-up]

Abstract

This report compares the results obtained after treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophies (algodystrophies) of the hand by pharmacological segmental blocks with buflomedil (51 cases) versus guanethidine (30 cases). The results were similar for all the different stages of algodystrophies treated: 65% satisfactory to excellent results with buflomedil, versus 63% with guanethidine. The sooner the algodystrophy is treated after its onset, the better the results. On TPBS, when the technique is effective, both hemovelocity and blood pool return to normal, along with the improvement in the patient's condition. Early and delayed bone fixations evolve independently of the treatment. These techniques should always be associated with active, mild physiotherapy, and in some cases with dynamic splints in order to prevent the development of functional sequelae in the form or capsulo-aponeurotic retraction.