RSD and foot surgery
 

For quite some time, I've been putting off surgery for painful bunions for fear of worsening my RSD, which currently affects both feet. Is this a valid fear?

I got RSD after bunion surgery!!! Depending on the kind of bunion surgery you have things could get very bad. One thing the lawyer told me is I should'nt have had a podiatrist do it I should have had orthopedic do it. I also got and infection two weeks after and that very well could have caused the RSd. They don't know what caused it but my life has changed after bunion surgery. Do lots of research and talk to many doctors!! Has a dr said they would do surgery on your rsd feet for bunions? Wow i would NOT do it...

YES It is!! I DON'T think its a good idea!

I talked to one doctor--a podiatrist--who was pretty cavalier about it and her lack of concern made me back off...

Thanks for validating my concerns...I will hold off as long as I can

Thanks for your reply--I've only spoken to a podiatrist who was pretty cavalier about it. Her lack of concern made me concerned!!!

Doesn't sound like that podiatrist is at all familiar with RSD.

I'm glad you trusted your instincts !

I have full body RSD but started in the right foot. I was on ketmamine and my foot wouldnt get any better so was sent to NYC to see a specialist in ultrasound and found out there was a neuroma in the nerve almost like a cycst right in the nerve. If I wanted ever a chance to get better it needed to come out of course hearing that is something you think like ya right no way. But it was my only chance which ended up needing 2 surgeries to fix. My doctor talked to every doctor from every coast including schwartzman for the first one they just wanted to try and cryo freeze it so they looked for the best pain specialist in the country that deals with ketamine. Which I ended up in NYC at the hospital for special surgery. For this one they tarted me on the ketamine, demerol, fentanyl, ativan and then put me out for the surgery and when I woke up was in the ICU with the same drugs to manage from a flare. In the end the freeze didnt work but the meds controled my pain and my pain was same the way it came which I guess isnt great. The second one would have to be a full fledge open surgery to cut the main nerve in the foot and drill a hole in the bone to bury it as I dont have muscle anymore. This really scared me but again at 21 it was my only chance for any kind of treatment to help even my meds so said yes. So again he called all the best orthos. to see who could and would deal with this RSD issue and one came forward, then he found another pain specialist in the same town this time not to just manage the pain and ketamine but to put in an epidural so from my waist down would be numb. The day was scary but went through it he did the epidural and started all the meds to get my pain managed before they even put me out. When I woke up I had a little pain not from the surgery but from my arms and stuff so got more meds. The surgeon came out and said he was so happy he did what he did as my nerve was totally shredded like it went through a cheese grinder. I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks then the meds and epidural stopped slowly. As of now it didnt change much but from where it was cut is numb which I sure dont mind which is only like 2in place but now I have a chance. Since I have had 2 more surgeries one to take out my thyroid because of cancer and second for taking my SCS out each time 3 docs would work together the surgeon, the pain specialist, and an internal doctor these last two went great, they use ketamine, lidocain, demerol, ativan, and some other meds but I dont ever come out worse then when I go in. So all I am saying is it is possible for us to have surgery but you need the best of doctors who know and believe in what RSD is and what they are doing and how to control the patients pain. If the doctors are really idiotic about it and dont really understand RSD and how to control your pain I would definitly say no.

Sam

Sam--thanks for taking the time to respond--you've had quite a journey of suffering...I pray that your pain is manageable and for your peace and comfort. I'm going to keep hobbling along until it becomes unbearable before I'll consider surgery!

Pastor Kathy

Dear Sam

I am so glad that your foot surgery last spring has been deemed successful, and that you are coming along (sorry about the other 2 surgeries, at least they are over now).

Please take care of yourself!! I truly hope you are back on your feet soon and that you and your Mom have a wonderful holiday!!

XOXOX Sandy

Caution!
 

My RSD was "caused" ("brought on by"...idk how much "blame" to assign, but anyway) by a bunionectomy w/osteotomy!!! I didn't have RSD prior to the surgery... if I only knew, I would NEVER have done it. :( Be very careful with your decision. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide. :)