Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 14, Number 3, 2004
Resource Reviews
John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor
Living with RSDS
Reviewed by John D. Loeser, MD
Linda Lang and Peter Moskovitz, New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA, 2003, 238 pages, $16.95 (soft cover), ISBN 1-57224-355-4.
This is a good book, written by two board members of the RSDS Association. It is aimed at the intelligent layperson, but physicians can glean much from the review of this painful condition and the patient vignettes that it contains. The chapters cover the history of RSDS, what is known about the anatomy and physiology of this condition, and factors that can lead to chronicity, diagnosis, and treatment of RSDS. The second half of the book addresses living and coping with the chronic pain and disability associated with RSDS and includes a chapter on RSDS in children. Included are a glossary, selected references, and a listing of resources on the Internet and in print.
I particularly like the comprehensive approach to the issues presented by a chronic pain patient. The second half of the book can apply equally well to other chronic pain diagnoses, for the principles of diagnosis and management are very similar for all such problems.
Printed in a 6 x 9-in. format, it will fit on a paperback shelf. I think it is a good resource for patients with CRPS, as we now call this condition, and I do not know of a better starting point for a patient or family member to begin the process of collecting information to make reasoned management choices. It belongs in your patient library.
Dr. Loeser is Professor of Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.
Please direct your suggestions for future Resource Reviews to John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor, at jdloeser@u.washington.edu