Purpose of the study: The pathophysiology of reflex dystrophy or type I complex regional pain syndrome remains poorly understood, but the cost is considerable in terms of public health expenditures both for programmed and emergency orthopedic surgery. We present a historical cohort assessed to evaluate the usefulness of vitamin C for the prevention of reflex dystrophy in programmed foot and ankle surgery.

Material and methods: The study included two groups of patients treated in two successive periods: July 2002 to June 2003 and July 2003 to June 2004. All patients underwent foot and ankle surgery performed by the same senior surgeon. Diabetic feet were excluded. The first group (185 feet, 177 patients) was not given any particular preventive treatment. The second group (235 feet, 215 patients) was given one gram vitamin C for 45 days. The diagnosis of reflex dystrophy was retained on the basis of clinical and radiological arguments noted at follow-up visits with the operator. Several factors were studied: gender, age, type of disease condition, history of reflex dystrophy, psychological context, duration of tourniquet, cast immobilization.

Results: Reflex dystrophy occurred in 18 feet in group

1 (9.6%) and in 4 (1.7%) in group 2. The difference was significant. Presence of a history of dystrophy was significantly associated with development of dystrophy (RR=10.4). A psychological context appeared to increase the risk of dystrophy (RR 2.6) but did not reach significance. There was no statistical relationship with age, gender, duration of tourniquet, type of disease condition, or surgical procedure performed.

Discussion: Vitamin C has been found to be effective in the prevention of reflex dystrophy after wrist fractures. Data in the literature is scarce on dystrophy of the foot and ankle. Our study provided objective evidence of the usefulness of vitamin C for the prevention of reflex dystrophy in foot and ankle surgery patients, a complication frequently observed in our control group (9.6%). The psychological context and history of dystrophy increase the risk of dystrophy.

Conclusion: Vitamin C is associated with a lower risk of reflex dystrophy in the postoperative period after foot and ankle surgery. We advocate preventive treatment with vitamin C.