The clenched fist syndrome. A psychiatric syndrome mimicking reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

We describe a patient with swelling and pain in his right hand, which persisted for 1 year after minimal trauma. We think this represents a case of "clenched fist syndrome," a conversion disorder with unique somatic features that is easily mistaken for reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Included is a comparison of other psychological illnesses in which unusual physical findings involve the hand.