I'm new here, but I have been living with RSD in my left foot (dx after removal of two Morton's neuromas) for just over two years. It was caught early and I have responded well to treatment - pain meds, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks, and lots of prayer!!

I'm having an MRI next week on my left shoulder to determine if I need surgery to repair my rotator cuff. I'm nervous about the RSD spreading to my shoulder after the surgery and just wonder what experiences any of you have had?

My orthopedic surgeon said he will make sure I get a nerve block in advance of the surgery, and I'll most definitely consult with my anesthesiologist who treats my RSD. But ... I'm still nervous.

Thanks!

I have had RSD spread to other parts of my body with every surgery until my most recent one - the anesthesiologist gave me a dose of Lidocaine when I was put under. This was the first time I did not have a major episode.


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Welcome; My two cents is while in the MRI can you get a break? I had to lay there for two hours and it made my RSD/CRPS worse...

It's OK to be nervous, but also know that this is to help....

Wish you the best....

I'd request a stellate ganglion block right before the surgery and if your insurance takes a long time to approve them, perhaps get pre approvals for a few in case you need to have any in the weeks of recovery.

I found Lidoderm patches over the surgery site helped tremendously as well.

Get some Epsom Salt cream in (available at Amazon) and see how you respond to it. I find it really helps with swelling.

If you respond well to steroids, I'd suggest starting a course a day or two before surgery.

If the anesthesiologist can use Ketamine, that might be something to consider as well.

If you have access to a warm pool, start swimming as soon as your gives his approval. --If this means waiting until summer for the surgery, I'd plan accordingly.

Following this post because my son Matthew has to have a second surgery to remove ankle hardware at some point. I worry a lot about the CRPS returning. Because he's still growing, they can't just leave it in like they do with adults.

Recent studies indicate 900 mg neurontin immediately pre-op reduces the likelihood of chronic pain. For post-op the antibiotic minocycline is given by my plastic surgeon nerve doctor for a week for every type of procedure he does anywhere on the body. Since it attenuates glia, it has the added benefit of keeping the dorsal horn more calm while fighting off infection. This is good for CRPS.

Littlepaw

That reminds me high levels of Vitamin C after surgery are supposed to be a good idea as well.

Maybe someone remembers the dosage suggestions?

Thanks for the reminder on the C! The current recommendation is 500 mg daily for 50 days per the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. It seems this was the amount in the Dutch treatment protocol as well.

Littlepaw

Hi Diversmom,
I'm gonna jump in here to welcome you to a great bunch of folks...