Hi Lisa,

I'm so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain at the moment and I really hope that it settles down soon!!

I agree with what Karen said, injuring or knocking the affected limb can most likely cause a flare. I stubbed my toe a few months ago and I was in a LOT of pain afterwards and the Dystonia in my foot got a lot worse and I couldn't put my foot to the ground that much. It took a few weeks for the flare to settle down and I really couldnt believe that such a 'minor' knock could cause such a bad flare!! I still have a blood blister/lesion on my toenail from where I stubbed the toe and theres no signs of it going away at the moment - my PT's said that it was from the RSD.

From what I have been told, if you have RSD, you are more likely to fracture limbs - especially if you have osteoperosis as your bones are really weak and fragile. I havent broken a bone that I know of since RSD although I still wonder to this day whether I fractured my Scaphoid bone when I fell in the bath tub a few months ago as I had all of the exact same symptoms. I saw a Orthopaedic Doctor about it and he said it was OK and that if it was broken, it would heal up in a few months but I still sort of wonder if I fractured it as if I do too much weight bearing through my arm from crutches, it will swell up and become extremely painful.

If you are concerned about your toe, I would go to the ER jut to be on the safe side. I agree with what Karen said though, there isn't that much that they can do for a broken toe and mot of the times, they will just strap it to the other toe (thats what they did for my nanan anyhow).

Take care and i'm thinking about you and please keep us updated if you find anything out!!

Alison