Which symptom helps distinguish reflex sympathetic dystrophy from raynaud's phenomenon?

Which symptom helps distinguish reflex sympathetic dystrophy from raynaud's phenomenon?

• A. Hyperhidrosis
• B. Pallor
• C. Pain
• D. Numbness

Answer: (A)

Autonomic signs help separate CRPS from Raynaud's. In CRPS, sympathetic dysfunction often leads to hyperhidrosis—excess sweating—in the affected limb, reflecting ongoing sympathetic overactivity along with swelling and temperature changes. This sweating is a distinctive autonomic feature of CRPS. By contrast, Raynaud's phenomenon is defined by episodic vasospasm causing color changes (pallor, cyanosis, and rubor) and cold sensitivity, with sweating not being a defining characteristic. Pain and numbness can appear in both conditions, so they don’t reliably differentiate them. Pallor is more typical during Raynaud's attacks, whereas hyperhidrosis points toward CRPS.

Autonomic signs help separate CRPS from Raynaud's. In CRPS, sympathetic dysfunction often leads to hyperhidrosis—excess sweating—in the affected limb, reflecting ongoing sympathetic overactivity along with swelling and temperature changes. This sweating is a distinctive autonomic feature of CRPS. By contrast, Raynaud's phenomenon is defined by episodic vasospasm causing color changes (pallor, cyanosis, and rubor) and cold sensitivity, with sweating not being a defining characteristic. Pain and numbness can appear in both conditions, so they don’t reliably differentiate them. Pallor is more typical during Raynaud's attacks, whereas hyperhidrosis points toward CRPS.