Oh Jenny,
I am so very sorry to hear of your husband's accident. It is VERY good that he has been diagnosed so quickly, and I think it is an extremely encouraging sign that he is able to put weight on the foot so soon and is already working with a PT to stretch the leg.

I developed RSD in my left ankle after surgery on Dec. 3 '08, so I haven't had it very long myself. I have already had a series of sympathetic nerve blocks and the swelling is under control. I do have nerve damage in my left foot from the surgery, and the RSD has spread to my other foot, but I am not experiencing as much pain in the right foot as the left. I credit this to early treatment, just as your husband is getting. I can walk slowly, without a limp, and am able to get most of my chores done.....maybe not perfectly like I used to......but well enough.

Ali is exactly right about desensitizing the foot and leg. He needs to remember that even though it HURTS like fire (or glass or whatever) is being rubbed into him to touch it, that it is just the nerves misfiring and sending false signals to his brain. The more quickly he can desensitize it to get used to being touched and used, the more mobility he will retain in the long run and the more quickly this can happen.

Regarding the depression, he absolutely needs to be put on a good antidepressant if he's not already on one. First, some antidepressants are proven useful in treating depression AND pain in RSD. Second, lingering depression will only further discourage him from doing his PT and moving on with his new life. Chronic pain and loss of function IS depressing.....he didn't choose this nor did he do anything wrong to get RSD.......it just happened.......it is not his fault.

Every one of us here has had to adjust to the various changes that RSD has imposed upon us. It is so good that you found this forum, as there are many caring, supportive, and knowledgeable people here to offer support or guidance. Better still, this is a safe place where you can get a lot of understanding and compassion.....we all know how this feels.

Please feel free to post any new questions on the general forum that you may have. It is so wonderful that he has you to be so supportive of him. You BOTH need support to adjust to this diagnosis, especially since you have had to take over so many of the other responsibilities. Try to remember that you guys WILL be ok. It may alter how you go forward in your immediate life, but many people with RSD and on this forum still manage to lead productive, happy lives......perhaps just in a slightly different way than planned.

Try not to look too far into the future, but take it one day at a time. Our greatest hope is that your husband responds quickly and positively to treatment. Please remember to take care of yourself as well. You must be forgiving of yourself and your personal limitations right now......accept help from people that offer (is there family around you??).....get as much rest as you can in between tasks.....you have to regroup your priorities realistically and remember that you're just one person.....you can't do everything perfectly as though you were two.

Regarding specialists......there really are none in the area of RSD, although there may be doctors that are familiar with treating it. A good Pain Doc that has been successful treating RSD in the past is critical. If yours isn't, be willing to travel some to get one that is. You already mentioned that he has seen a neurologist and a PT. It sounds like you guys are doing all the right things! Be careful not to read too far into the disease and "project" all of that happening to him in the future. That is overwhelming and depressing. Simply accepting where you are now is struggle enough.

Please keep us posted on how his visit tomorrow goes. Ask any questions you want to.....spend some time reading other posts on this forum. You can do a "search" on a specific topic you may be interested in (option available on the blue bar at the top). We are all here for you!!! Hope to hear from you soon!