The effect of adding calcitonin to physical treatment on reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The efficacy of intranasal salmon calcitonin was examined in a double-blind randomized study in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Sixty-six patients were randomly divided in two groups receiving physiotherapy. In addition group I also received 3 x 100 U/day of salmon calcitonin by intranasal spray whereas group II received 3 sprays of placebo. The pain and the range of motion were improved by calcitonin administration. Similarly the patients' ability to work was also improved. The results confirmed that salmon calcitonin has an effect but that this effect was not equally observed on all parameters analyzed. It was most marked on pain (at rest and on movement) and on the ability to work.