Research / Education

Dystrophile

This Hand Center has been a research facility for reflex sympathetic dystrophy for over thirty years. The “Watsonian approach” to postop care was a direct result of research carried on by Dr. Watson in the early seventies. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, regional pain syndrome and many other names all speak to the same disastrous diagnosis which limits function and can result in major permanent tissue loss. The Dystrophile has provided the most effective treatment for this condition. It has been equally effective in the predystrophy patient and for postop cases that are not returning to normal as fast as expected.

The Dystrophile is not an exercise machine. It's a technique and an apparatus to ensure tissue loading with minimal range of motion and provides structure for the patient. The Dystrophile is rapidly effective and can be discontinued in a few months in most cases. It is the most inexpensive way to return a post injury or postoperative upper extremity to full work status rapidly.