Hello all,

I want to share this as it's made a big difference in my pain. Also I'll put a side note on an article I read recently about local steroid shots relieving symptoms that look like CRPS but aren't. I know we have some new joins and thought this might help somebody.

My pain has stayed fairly localized to the areas within a couple inches in all directions of my surgical incisions, which sadly are quite large. I scar really badly and just adhese everything down. A couple months ago with pain off the charts I saw my surgeon thinking we may need to go back in (God forbid!) and I saw a new Phys. Med doctor who is a genius with ultra sound guided injections. In an attempt to keep me out of the OR he did a set of injections in the surgical area while watching on US in December and another in January after a positive response to the first. The scar tissue is softer and moves better. It had felt like quickcrete in there. I have about nine inches total length on my two incisions. One thing he did was "make room" in his words by forcing saline, steroid and lidocaine into the tightest areas, one of which was staying numb and worrying me quite a bit. These have made a big, big difference for me and I am now getting sensation in the numb area. My pain is better, it is not gone by any means but it is at least 50% better and I can walk and stand longer. This means stronger rehab! I still discolor the same but am more comfortable. I know my situation is unique because I have physical compression from all the scar tissue, but I know others of us are in the same boat. I thought this might be something someone else could use. I must emphasize, it was not pleasant "making room" and there can be risks in doing injections or hydrodissections. However, with a competent practitioner and US guidance the outcomes are better. I myself would never let anyone shoot blind anywhere near nerves...
An interesting article of note can be found here for new joins who may or may not have CRPS. Not quite the same thing as I had done but interesting info that might make a world of difference in the right circumstances.
http://www.pain.pitt.edu/paincontent/news/PMNews.pdf

I hope the link works! If not the article is called "Peripheral Nerve Block Relieves Symptoms Mimicking CRPS".
Sending Healing Love, Littlepaw

Very good news!
I hope you even mend more...

Thanks Russ!

It's not for everybody but for overachieving scar formers (One of my many talents ) or those with soft tissue impingement, the shots can sure help. It's been almost 8 weeks since the last set. I wanted to make sure they held before saying anything but I am pretty sure I'm staying out of the OR. My surgeon is thrilled, he didn't want to go back in any more than I did.

LP

You truly are a "student of the game" Littlepaw!

Very happy that you have found something that works for you and is helping with your pain.

A good reminder that we all are our own best advocate for our health care. Don't hesitate to continue to get new opinions.

I nearly died laughing before the first round when the PM&R doc said "How are you with pain?" I said "you're joking right?" He kindly kept asking if he was hurting me and was I okay. Seemed shocked I tolerated it well. I think even our best doctors don't know what we live with. There's not a one of us that's faint of heart.

LP.

Wonderful news LP! Thank you for sharing your experience (especially with us newbies)!

After meeting my new ortho and explaining my intense pain with my 2nd euflexxa injection, he brought in the US for the steroid/lido injection he recommended (and I hesitantly agreed to). The whole time he kept telling me to let him know if it hurt. LOL

Once thing I noticed, besides pain returning as soon as the lido wore off, is a dark area where he did the injection. Like where he put the needle in. At first I thought it was just a deep bruise but now 16 days later, it's still there.