Hi Lwalls,
Welcome to the boards..I'm sorry it is under the circumstances of the pain your are experiencing...

If it is a case of CRPS, it is great it has been diagnosed so quickly and your docs are jumping into immediate treatment. Hopefully, your medical team is very knowledgeable about RSD/CRPS and the various treatments available.

I had an ankle injury in 2006 and resultant surgery in 2008. Til this day, I'm not certain how long the RSD was brewing, but I know that quicker intervention would have made a world of difference in my treatment of it..

You might ask your neurologist who is experienced in RSD if s/he suggests any additional treatment such as blocks, or additional meds to break the pain cycle as soon as possible!
I would also be cautious with ice, as ice is not to be applied to a CRPS or potentional CRPS site.

You mentioned pockets of fluid outside your ankle; it could be that your limited mobility was due to the fluid and excessive swelling. When my ankle and foot are severly swollen my range of motion is greatly diminished..
I, too, had a neuroma removed from my left foot 11 years ago..I finally relinquished to that surgery, as it was always so painful to apply pressure to the ball of the foot.
It is ironic (?) that the CRPS which resulted from my ankle injury/surgery has re-ignited the pain in my old neuroma removal site..
I hope the prednisone continues to help with your pain and brings your closer to remission!!
Good luck with your early treatment and keep us posted!!
Hope4thebest