Originally Posted by fbodgrl

I get the stuck cramped down fingers in the RSD hand. It is horrifically painful and worse forcing them back out. They stayed in a tucked, non straight position naturally since my 2nd surgery. My spasms are generally in the upper arm bicep area. They come and go. I take flexeril at night and Valium in the day to try and keep things loose.

Originally Posted by Lottie

Vrae, our stories are similar. Woke up in recovery room convinced I had a shattered ankle!! I do get severe cramps in my toes, foot and calf, what my dad used to call a "charlie horse". Standing and walking , though very painful, usually resolves that. I also get visible muscle twitches that make me crazy. Feels like hot popcorn popping inside my leg. My husband puts his hand on the muscle and puts firm steady pressure on it. I also use heating pad and warm epsom salt bath. I don't do well with Valium, it makes me too weepy . ~Lottie

Originally Posted by catra121

The ultrasound is actually a device. You put conductive gel on the area (I always make sure mine is in a place where it won't get cold) and then you run the device over the area (constantly moving so you don't burn yourself). It's a deeper sort of heat...I don't even really feel like the area gets hot...but it does help. I've found that generally using the ultrasound extends the amount of relief and length of time I get relief after the hot bath with Epsom salts. It especially helpful for me with the spasms.

They used a similar device (bigger...mine is a portable version) when I did outpatient physical therapy and I found that when they did it at the beginning of the sessions that things were easier for me than without it. The routine of ultrasound at the beginning and stim with heat at the end actually did a great job at reducing my pain levels...more than any meds ever did.