[Treatment of algodystrophy. A randomized study of 95 cases with 3 treatments: Calsyn 100, Visken, Grisefuline and Penthonium]

Abstract

Three randomised therapeutic protocols were studied: thyrocalcitonin, beta-blockers and the combination of Grisefuline + Penthonium, in a group of 95 cases of algodystrophy (64 women, 31 men). These cases were divided into four groups: upper limb, lower limb, "recent" or "long-standing". The results were assessed after one month of treatment. A positive result was defined as being an improvement of more than 50 p. cent of the clinical subjective and objective criteria; less than that, the activity is uncertain or nil. Comparison of the results did not reveal any statistically significant difference between the three proposed treatments, whether we consider the whole group of patients or each sub-group separately (overall positive results: Calsyn 100 = 53 p. cent, Visken = 42,5 p. cent, Grisefuline + Penthonium = 53 p. cent). The important role played by rehabilitation must be stressed. It should be discontinued during the acute phase and instituted in the later phase. Cure is obtained after an average of 4-5 months of treatment. 10 patients were left with major trophic sequelae after 2 years of the disease; all involve the hand.