MrsD - I'm not sure what a lidoderm patch is. I'll research it. I have an upcoming appt. with my case managing doctor (this is work comp) and will talk to him about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Cyclelops - I know what you mean about nerve damage never quite healing back to normal. I still have some lingering numbish feeling in my wrist where they moved the radial nerve aside during surgery. It's so strange the way sometimes the nerve overreacts and sometimes it's mellow about it.

Stagger - That's interesting that your anesthesiologist wouldn't do a block because of existing PN problems and my surgeon and anesthesiologist thought it best to do one because of past RSD problems. I thought that a block was the way to go, too, because of the RSD - trying to keep the ankle from feeling the pain of the surgery. Maybe it makes a difference what type of block you get and where you get it and how much tearing the needle does to the nerve. I had my gall bladder removed in 2004 and they did an epidural because of my RSD and that went without a hitch.

Thanks for the replies everyone!