[Pain and inflammation of the foot in metabolic osteopathies : new causes of algodystrophy (author's transl)].

Three observations of patients with algodystrophia of the foot are reported. Biologic disorders suggestive of osteomalacia were found in two patients who recovered after receiving vitamin D. Cushing disease was diagnosed in the remaining patient ; again algodystrophia disappeared after specific therapy was given. The few similar cases published in the medical literature are reviewed. Attention is drawn to their misleading nature. Most published cases occurred with osteomalacia or endocrinic osteopathy. Such conditions should be looked for in all patients with apparently primary algodystrophia of a lower limb.