Hello GoBlue,

Sorry you had to come and find us but welcome to the club. I read your PN post. It is really frustrating when you can't get a clear answer and guidance. So hard too when you don't want to make things any worse and there no guarantees. Obviously there are risks to any surgery, it's how many got here. However, hardware or a scar neuroma can also be the cause of symptoms and both can potentially be improved. I just posted a thread yesterday about nerve injury resources to check out. As far as figuring out what you've got who knows. Nerves are so fussy and scars can be sensitive for years. Swelling from ortho procedures in the foot and ankle can also take months and months to fully resolve, even a little swelling can aggravate a fussy nerve. CRPS is such a spectrum and so hard to recognize when not severe. Only you know day to day how much this thing interferes with your life and if a procedure is worth the risk. If you have a lot of pain maybe it's worth it, if not then maybe not so much...

The Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons is a group of doctors and podiatrists who have undergone some training in how to deal with nerves. Dr. Barrett in Scottsdale has numerous articles on tarsal tunnel, etc that make it sound like he is careful. I have never seen him but I did consider travel to do so. Other doctors in your area can be found on http://aens.us

There is also the Freedom Pain Hospital out there, don't know anything about them except that they do infusions and maybe have seen more CRPS.

IF you decide to get your staple out be sure your surgeon knows the importance of delicate dissection and protection of cutaneous branches, this can help avoid future pain. Take Vit C 500 for several weeks post-op, 900 mg neurontin right before procedure has shown benefit in avoiding chronic pain and minocycline post-op helps keep the glia in the dorsal horn more calm. Anaesthesia may have some tricks to help as well.

Let us know what happens. I am Sending Healing Love, Littlepaw