The reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is an excessive or exaggerated response of an extremity to injury, manifested by burning pain, vasomotor disturbances, delayed functional recovery and trophic changes. The most common precipitating event is trauma. Early initiation of treatment improves therapeutic success. We describe three patients with RSDS, and discuss the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Physicians in primary care, traumatology and occupational medicine clinics should be aware of the clinical characteristics of this infrequent complication of limb trauma in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures and delay in treatment.