Cut and cauterize??
 

Hi there,
Posted here last week about my ingrown toenail and possible RSD complications. Thanks for the replies.

Finally got in to see the podiatrist. In short, the prognosis is not good. Granulation tissue has grown by 1/3 of an inch above and below one corner of the toenail. Its a type of tissue that is associated with wound healing, but it can start growing in excess, like it has here.

He proposes to anesthetize the toe with a local injection right into it, cut away one corner of the toenail, and then surgically cut away the granulation tissue and cauterize it to prevent it from bleeding and growing back. Needless to say this gives me the major willies on a number of levels. Everything I've heard about RSD is that invasive procedures are bad news.
My foot has had really bad reactions to heat before (for example the whole bottom of the foot swelled up because of exposure to bathtub-warm water), so the whole cauterization thing sounds really scary, as does cutting away flesh. Even a bit nervous about putting a needle into my toe with the anesthetic.

Anyone have an experiences or advice on this? Thanks for listening!

Well, my sharing isn't the good sort. I had my toenail removed before RSD and it was nearly 9 months before the pain was gone, and it required daily maintenance, salve, moisturizer, padding and an extra size shoe. I had no choice like you as the nail was grown down into my toe, but nobody told me how stinkin' bad it would hurt. I do believe he gave me 4 sticks of the needle in my toe before he started.

I would just tell him to not go lightly on the numbing stuff. You don't want any of your neurons knowin' anything is going on down there.

here's to you staying on an even keel,
with prayer,
pat

hey

i´ve also rsd on my foot, and had problems with my scar (from two previouse operations) which needed injection of an anesthetic...

everything went well, and i had no rsd flare afterwards, but maybe you can ask your doc if he can put an anasthetic cream on your foot before the injection (so there is less pain from that) and maybe you can get a vitamin b12 infusion right afterwards - it is said that this may prevent further nerve damage...

but ask your doc about it!!!

xxx
leiea