Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: treatment with long-acting intramuscular corticosteroids.

In an 8-year period, 69 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy, who were followed at least 1 year, were treated with active exercises and injections of long-acting methylprednisolone. Of these, 22 patients did not respond to this treatment and 47 patients obtained significant improvement. All 47 were relieved of night and rest pain. Proximal interphalangeal motion improved from an average of 39 degrees to an average of 75 degrees. Grip strength was an average of 7 lb. before treatment and 29 lb. after treatment.