NeuroTalk Support Groups - Anyone else need crutches for your RSD?

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) (https://www.neurotalk.org/reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy-rsd-and-crps-/)

- - Anyone else need crutches for your RSD? (https://www.neurotalk.org/reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy-rsd-and-crps-/187148-else-crutches-rsd.html)

AliM
I agree with Bram. I too have a wheelchair. I was concerned at first. Now, though, I look at it as I could either use all my energy and pain tolerance to get to a store/luncheon/party/etc., or I can use the chair and have the ability to participate. The chair really makes a difference.

I use it when I leave my condo. Usually I walk with a walker or cane while in the condo unless it happens to be a really bad day for me.

My Neurologist recommended it after she witnessed me struggling to get to the examining room. The CRPS really twisted my legs and feet and curled my toes. I would have to walk on the side of my left foot. I have had some surgeries since. The CRPS pain remains. So too, the dystonia and spasticity remain. The chair helps so much in this regard. The more I try to walk, the worse the dystonia and spasticity are. I am literally curled up with muscle spasms and in severe pain ... not how I would like to spend a day/evening. So I go with the chair instead.

I am new to this website. Not sure what RSD is. I have peripheral neuropathy

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliM (Post 976206)

Anyone else have RSD bad enough you're often on crutches? I guess I'm just hoping to not feel so alone in this. I have had RSD in the ball of my left foot for the past year and a half, and my specialist and I have tried everything: PT, steroid injections, injections to try to deaden the nerves, etc. etc. Nothing has worked, so I just always wear my ortho walking boot when I leave the house since it helps me put the weight on my heel instead, which helps make walking bearable. I've come to accept this, and embrace the attitude of "it is what it is" and move on with life. For the most part, I handle it swimmingly, I think.

I can handle walking short distances, like walking into the post office and back to my car, but for trips to the grocery store or errand hopping in the mall, etc., I definitely need my crutches. I'm 43, and was a competitive tennis player before being diagnosed, so I've been lucky enough that I was in decent enough shape that crutches aren't THAT big a nuisance, but sometimes I just feel so...tired, I guess. My doc reassures me that chronic pain is exhausting and that it's normal to feel that way, but sometimes my spirits just takes a ding.

So I was hoping to hear if someone else faces this. It might make me feel less alone. :)

I walk with forearm crutches and expect to for the rest of my life. Awkward but at least i am on my feet. I empathize with you. They are tiring..
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