Sympathetic blocks for reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Seventy-one patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremities were studied during a 3-year period. Of the 27 patients managed by conservative means, 11 (41%) showed signs of improvement 3 years after the onset of syndrome. Of the 43 patients treated by sympathetic nerve blocks, 28 (65%) experienced progress at the 3-year evaluation. Data suggest that early treatment with repeated sympathetic nerve blocks appears to improve the long-term outcome.