Evidence from:
A Zyluk. Journal of Hand Surgery. April (2001) Vol. 26B #2 p 151
A study of outcomes, following treatment for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.
146 cases were assessed for functional capacity and pain, both before treatment and again at 11 months after treatment. Diagnosis was confirmed in the presence of diffuse pain and at least three of: swelling, discolouration, abnormal skin temp, limited ROM.
64% of cases were described as having a good outcome. Of these only a third were completely free of pain, but 100% had full range of motion restored and 80% had some reduction in grip strength compared to normal values.
Comment
Of the 46% with poor outcomes it is not known how many were misdiagnosed. Patient attitudes were not recorded.
Some loss of comfort can be expected a year after treatment even for good outcomes. However it would seem that such loss is not expected (on this evidence) to be disabling.