Hi, It has been almost 4 months since the accident where my wife broke her fingers and 2 1/2 months since the cast came off which is when she was diagnosed with RSD. Her pain is well managed with a pain level average of 2 to 2.5. She has low pain levels of 1.5 and flares of 3.5. This is a big improvement because when she started RSD treatment, her pain level was a constant 6 to 7. The joints in her fingers are still frozen and swollen. Her fingers now rarely change colors but is a different color than the other hand and now rarely has the burning shooting pains. She takes lyrica and the clinodine patch. Topricin is used nightly as a gel for her fingers. She has PT 3 times per week and sees a chiropractor 3 times per week. She had 4 Stellar ganglion nerve blocks where her hand got warm for a day for each but were pretty much ineffective. Prescription anti-inflamatories appear to be ineffective and pain levels remain the same if she takes them or not. She has made very little hand movement progress but can now use scissors and other tools such as staple pullers. Her pain management doctor says he can't help her anymore other than provide the medications.

What do RSD sufferers typically do at this point? Does one search for another doctor or one of the NYC RSD specialist? Does one go for a Spinal Cord Stimulator? Does one go for ketamine treatments? Does one try more nerve blocks? Or does one do nothing and keep doing what we are doing now? She would love for this RSD to go away and to regain total use of her hand. We are just curious what others do when they reach a level of good managed pain levels.