I had foot surgery in Dec 2013 and had significant swelling of my left foot 3 months post surgery including changes in color red/purple, however the swelling and color has gone away and did so after the 3-4 month time. I have mild burning over the incision line, increased nerve pain at the top point of my incision and in lighter touch to big toe feels like nerves stand on end, not painful but more a sensation.

My surgeon has said RSD, 2 Pain Doctors and one Pain PA have said not RSD, neurologist said inclusive. My new podiatrist wants to talk out the staple in my foot to see if that helps but if there is any chance it is RDS I don't want to have the staple removed as free as pain increases. Right now it is livable.

New podiatrist did 2 series of cortisone injections which made the burning/tingling sensation get worse first 2 weeks and skin at incision marks to bruise weeks 2-3 after the injection.

Thoughts on if this is surgical neuropathy or RSD?

I have had X Rays and MRI's all are normal
Frustrated!

Have you tried topical lidocaine on the area? Sometimes just some lidocaine (or lidoderm patches which are more expensive)
turns off irritated nerves and they may stop firing so much.

GoBlue,

I left some thoughts on the CRPS forum. Best of everything to you and Never give up on the potential for healing.

Have you had a bone scan?


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No bone scan, lots of X rays and a few MRI's which are all normal. Newest doc is leaning towards nerve compression so ordered an EMG test. Bad news is my surgery was about a year and half ago so damage is probably permanent at this time, so frustrating because I have complaining to my original surgeon since surgery that something doesn't feel right.

Welcome....sorry for the reasons you are here; I had surgery years ago and my recent MRI and nerve test came back positive but I still have stinging, flares, hot/cold...tourniquet sensation, discolorations, edema....etc etc etc etc ...
and the Neurologist feels it's RSD/CRPS 2.....scaring has caused some nerve compression in the neck but that shows up in my fingers in the opposite hand. Don't know if this helps...