Raynauds

Question 0

List the differences between Raynauds Disease and Raynauds Phenomenon.

Answer 0

RD:

• idiopathic
• wrist pulses present n normal
• affects mostly women
• no tropic changes to skin
• long standing cases may cause smoothness, shininess and tightness with risk of SCLERODACTYLY.

RP:

• 2ndary to systemic illness/occupation
• May be ulnar or radial obstruction
• affects men n women equally
• tropic changes to skin
• long standing cases may cause THROMBOSIS and arthritis

Question 1

Define Raynauds Syndrome.

Answer 1

Episodic vasospasm resulting in closure of small arteries and arterioles of the extremities in response to cold or strong emotional stimuli.

Question 2

What are some of the tropic changes in Raynaud’s phenomenon?

Answer 2

Brittle nails
Hyper keratosis 
Ulcerations gangrene to digital tips
Thrombosis
Arthritis

Question 3

How long before a firm diagnosis of Raynauds?

Answer 3

2years without progression or underlying pathology

Question 4

Pain is a strong feature of Raynauds.

True / False?

Answer 4

False.

Question 5

What is the most common trigger to Raynauds?

Answer 5

Exposure to cold.

Question 6

What is the 2nd most common trigger to Raynauds

Answer 6

Strong emotion

Question 7

What does TRIPHASIC mean in regards to Raynauds?

Answer 7

A color change in which Pallor/blanching, followed by Cyanosis and Rubor all occur during an attack.

Question 8

What is rarely affected in Raynauds?

Answer 8

Thumb.

Question 9

Can color change occur BIPHASIC in Raynauds?

Answer 9

Yes.

Pallor to Rubor
Or
Cyanosis to Rubor

Question 10

During treatment the patient should lay with their hands hanging off table in any position.

True / False?

Answer 10

False.

Question 11

Raynauds is typically unilateral in nature.

True / False?

Answer 11

False.

Bilateral.
Most attacks last 15-45 minutes

Question 12

Mild cases of Raynauds are treated by avoidance of triggers.

True / False?

Answer 12

True.

Smoking n caffeine are recommended avoidances.

Question 13

What are some methods of treatment for mild cases of Raynauds?

Answer 13

• biofeedback (think warm into extremities)
• phenobarbitol (anti seizure meds)
• moderate aerobic exercise

Question 14

What is sympathectomy?

Answer 14

Surgical interruption of regional sympathetic nerve pathways.

• doesn’t last longer than 2yrs
• causalgia is a sever side effect

Question 15

What are some contraindications to treatment for Raynauds?

Answer 15

• thrombosis
• severe tissue damage
• poor venous return
• open lesions
• extremes of temp
• vigorous on site massage
• during attack
• analgesic / antispasmodic meds