Hi everyone.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I developed CRPS following surgery to repair torn cartilage in my right wrist. My CRPS is limited to my right arm and seems to be fairly mild in comparison to the descriptions I have read of what many of you are experiencing. I am in constant pain which disrupts my sleep. I have burning, crushing and stabbing/spasm pain in varying combinations and intensity. I have abnormal hair growth around my wrist and I sometimes have very slight changes in color (sometimes a bit white, sometimes a bit red). My right arm is always a bit warmer than the my left, particularly the hand and wrist.

My hand and forearm are pretty swollen. I have limited range of motion in my hand and wrist. The knuckle of my little finger has particularly limited ROM.

My surgeon has proposed doing a manipulation under anesthesia and a release of the MCP joint. He said the tissue above the knuckle (MCP) joint in my little finger is stuck and preventing movement of the joint. He proposes to use a small needle to 'release' it. He will also inject steroid into my hand (you know, as long as he is sticking a needle in, he might as well). Finally, he is going to 'manipulate' my hand and wrist to basically force movement to increase my ROM.

Has anyone had anything like this done? If so, did it help?

Well you will need to go to PT 5x a week for ATLEAST a month in order to keep that new ROM. I was a PT tech and 1 of my paitents had it done, it was highly painful and its alot of work with PT. However it gave back her ROM and thats what was needed. Now the only thing I quistion about this is you have RSD and personally I wouldnt want to be manipulated like that because I do think it will cause the RSD to spread. In a sense it is a trauma done to your body, hence why they are doing it under anesthesia.

Hi KimA,

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but I had complications with my right shoulder after rotator cuff surgery, and the shoulder froze. They put me under and basically "ripped" it open (they say it sounds like velcro ripping). I went to PT immediately afterwards (and I mean immediately - I was still loopy from the anesthesia) and they worked with it. I went to PT for 6 days straight, then went down to 4 days the next week, then 3 for the next quite a few weeks. It worked well for me, and I have good ROM in my shoulder. I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about exactly, but I think it's the same general thing. Best of luck!!

Thanks for the replies. I am, of course, worried that the procedure may cause my rsd/crps to spread. I guess I'm willing to take the chance. Yikes!

SloRian, what you had sounds fairly similar. I know I will be seeing the physiotherapist on the day of the procedure and then I will have more sessions for a while.

I am having a bone scan and a bone density scan on Wednesday. (I've never had those before.) Then I have the MUA and release of MCP joint on Friday.

I have been taking vitamin C and will continue to do so. Fingers crossed!

Good luck!! Please let us know how it goes

I had the procedure today. I have significantly improved ROM, mainly in my little finger. I met with the physiotherapist before I went home. We did some exercises, she gave me exercises and instructions for home and I booked my next session.

My hand is very numb from the local my doctor injected while I was under. It will be interesting to see how it feels in the coming days. I'm thinking a flare-up is likely but I have a freshly filled prescription of tramadol to see me through. And I have next week off work.

Hey Kim,

I have not done this, but if you decide to proceed, I wish you the best. I really hope that it will bring you some relief.