When I fell a few weeks back, I tore some tendons and ligaments in my knee and need an arthroscopy. I've been taking vitamin c, but I know y'all have posted many tips on surgery. I also have to have surgery on my thumb and possibly a complete pull and replacement of my scs. Anyway, all are necessary so anyone going through surgery in the past who could help prevent more spread or worse spread since mine's full body would be great. Thank you!

TK

Hey TK! I do not really have any tips to offer. I just wanted to wish you luck! I had my bladder procedure last week and it went fine as far as the IV and anesthesia went. I get more nervous over the IV than the actual procedure. My dr and anesthesiologist were well aware and familiar with my RSD and I think that helped. I am having my SCS's removed at the same hospital and want the same anesthesiologist! We haven't scheduled this surgery yet, but hopefully it will be soon after Christmas!

Hi TK,

I just wanted to wish you luck really. The vitamin c is important, so good call there , but make sure you talk to your surgeon and be certain that he has given instructions to the nursing staff that they need to be ready with higher-end pain relief for you in case you need it. To help prevent spread, it's really important that your post-op pain is controlled so that you can start doing some movements and physio immediately.

My CRPS started with an arthroscopy, and my pain post-op was not well controlled - I had to wait ages while they went through all the normal post-op stuff, then through the head-scratching 'well you shouldn't have that much pain' stuff before getting the morphine that finally got on top of it all.

I'm not saying your pain will be awful, but just that the staff should be briefed that you are a CRPS patient already, and that they have to be extra careful. Make sure they know which areas they need to be extra careful of, which limbs are the best option for a BP cuff or for taking bloods, and which meds you are already on. IMHO it can take forever for a relative or you to convince a ward nurse of stuff like that in the initial post-op hours. They should also be prepared that you might have to stay slightly longer than an average person....just in case.

Anyway, take care and make sure that other leg is as strong as it can be. I hope your experience is a good one and all goes well.

Bram.

I've had 2 arthroscopies and a pat/fem resurfacing. This was before finding out tbat my massive amount of pain was from crps. They gave me morphine after all 3 surgeries and did ice on all 3 too. Then sent me home on lortabs. So you could say I've been there done that and got the tshirt. The only place I use ice now is in my drinks. Don't go into this being scared. The more you think its going to be bad the more ot will. Good luck.