I had a work related injury on 3/24/07. WC delayed treatment until 5/22/07. I continued to work 10 hr. days in awful pain. They sent me to an Ortho dr.He had no clue;he did meniscus surgery on inside right knee. Immediately, I had discoloration and a constant burn. He gave me 4 cortisone injections. I related the symptoms and was ignored. He sent me back to work.

Knee kept burning, and I requested a 2nd opinion.They sent me to another ortho doc. 2nd doc did 5 rooster comb injections(painful). I did have PT between and after 1 and 2nd ortho, and PT ignored my symptoms,too.

I marked it up to a healing by-product; burn means I am still healing. 2nd doc sent me back to work,even though I complained about burning/deep cutting/throbbing, pain. 2nd injury occurred at work to same knee, within a month of full release.This time, lateral tear to right knee meniscus(all the way across to median meniscus..previous injury).

Since the 1st surgery, I had not been able to bend,squat,crawl, do stairs,etc. After 2nd ortho,I still couldn't do the above stated physical activities..ignored, he put me at full release.

After 2nd injury,2nd orthopedic doc sent me for arthrogram MRIs..there was an incident where the Radiologist doc injected fat pad of knee, me screaming..and he had to stick me again. Radiologist doc couldn't get needle in joint because the rooster comb injections and scar tissue.That MRI showed the 2nd injury tear..so 2nd surgery. Then, more physical therapy..and I did not improve..I got worse.

Also, started having panic attacks while in PT..that was it for me! I started seeing psychologist for depression and anxiety; and the fact that I pretty much was written off by doctors as this being in my head..no one listening to me..etc.

After second surgery, I never returned to work;retained an atty., terminated from my job because I was no longer able to do my job,lost my ins., and TTD stopped. WC fight is on. I was promised a PM doc 06/08,from 2nd ortho as he placed me MMI with possibile diagnosis of RSD/CRPS I( mild) and it took WC until latter part of 08/08 before I saw one. The 2nd ortho would only prescribe Darvacet and Motrin. Those drugs were not working. The only drug that seemed to work,some, was Lortab, and it was 7.5 mg., and stopped so I would not become addicted!!!

The only doc that did listen to me was my family doc and she referred me to psychologist to deal with the changes in my active life,depression and anxiety. I had to go to family doc for meds for the burning pain, depression/anxiety..hbp, gerd,ect.

I saw 1st PM end of Aug.,'08. I thought I would be getting pain relief from him..no, it turned out to be an evaluation for WC. He dx me as RSD. WC did not like that dx. They sent me to 2nd PM doc 11/08, after my atty. threatened court if they didn't get off the pot and help me. This is my current PM doc. He agreed with 1st pm doc.WC was not pleased at all. Currently, trial date is set for 5/19/09.

I started drawing SSDI 1/2009. All in all, there were 14 or 15 doc/medical specialist, and/or PT that I went through before my dx..over 2 yrs now from initiating injury.

I agree orthos don't have a clue, or they do and are worried patient might sue. PT's same thing...when I got an atty. and RSD was in the picture, my PT asked me if I was thinking the PT caused the RSD..geez! I wanted relief from pain, to be listened too..HEARD. I wasn't thinking about suing anybody.

WC made me wait 2 months from initial injury 2007, to get help for the injury. I and atty. believe that lack of prompt action initiated the RSD/CRPS I.

Sorry so long... See a neurologist or PM doc.
Dew