Another update 2 weeks since surgeon closed my wound. Unfortunately it has opened a little even with ditches still in. He will be leaving sutures in another 2 weeks. Worst part now is rash I developed last week that is so itchy. I have been prescription cream on 2 days now no relief yet...I go back to work tomorrow full-time hopefully things don't get worse..luckily notuch swelling which would be surgeons major concern of course mine is itchy rash we aren't sure what is causing it. Worse around incision and spreads out on foot.

Hi! Thanks for the update. You will be out of this soon. I am sure it feels like forever and ever.

So many things can cause a rash...from drugs to fungus to fussy skin or infection. Who knows. I hope that gets figured out soon so you can finish healing up.

How is your pain? Color and temp?

Still sending healing thoughts your way,

Thanks little paw . Very little pain just discomfort from itchiness. Foot color is good except rash us purple and redish over incision and spreads out. Still no swelling even after full day at work is a little sore.

hope you feel better soon goblue. i am sending healing thoughts and soft hugs your way.

Unfortunately rash us no better even with steroid cream. I am at a loss at what to do. Called my dermatologist and she can't see me for another week. This rash burns and itches like nothing I have ever had. I see my surgeon this afternoon. Hopefully he has more suggestions but last week he really didn't know what to do.

Questions...

Are all your stitches out? Any products being used on the wound?

Are there any other docs in your derm's practice who can see you or can they work you in? Another week sounds really uncomfortable. It might be worth checking elsewhere too if you're miserable and can't wait.

I ended up with a biopsy on the weird rash on top of my foot that found it was fungal, which was the last thing on any doctor's radar. If it isn't glaringly obvious to derm when they see you, it might be worth pulling the trigger on that.

I hope you feel better soon,

I saw surgeon today. Stitches will be in one more week to prevent incision from opening again it is starting too a little in middle.

Still have rash he says not infection but reaction to something. I have used aquafor, vaseline, lociod prescription cream, 2 different kinds gauze so it could be any of those or stitches itself he also gave me samples of prescription for fungus and called in prescription of medrol steroid to help. Wed I will see dermatologist found one that could get me in this week and then at surgeons advice I see excellent diagnostic allergist for blood work. I have always had sensative skin finally time to know causes so this doesn't happen again.

Out of work another 3 weeks just to be safe so I can get short term disability. Wanted to go back to work but didn't want risk loosing eligibility for STD coverage if I went back a few days and couldn't handle it.

Thanks for well wishes.

Getting frustrated again. Stitches came out and incision closed thank goodness but top tissues are still really delicate. My frustration is the nerves issues seem to be coming back. We still have no explanation for rash steroids took away the terrible itch which is great but it is still discolored. When leg is elevated it is almost normal color when down it turns red instantly. Big toe has lost so much flexibility and when I work it with toe curls etc it gets terribly sore with cramps and nerve pain. Surgeon is at a loss. he mentioned could be real rare case of rsd but it would seem since I have had 2 surgeries since 1st surgery when my issues started it that i would be in a world of hurt. I had no swelling and have no sensitivity to touch. Rash area skin is tight. Dermatologist didn't have a clue. I see allergist on Monday but surgeon doesn't think he will find anything. Not sure if I should go to primary doc, back to pain doc or see vascular doc to see if it is ciculatory issue but I healthy 39 yr old with no cardiac issues. Any one have any thoughts?

I hope you all are having low pain day.

Hi GoBlue,

Okay rash first... Just for grins was an antifungal tried at all? The high strength OTC Lamisil is the best. Steroid cream would knock out itching from a fungal infection but not kill it so you'd still have marks from little lesions that were being suppressed. FYI, steroid cream will drive fungal infections deeper so the lamisil needs to be used longer or go on oral. The OTC cream is an easy thing to try. A few days would let you know if it was going to make a difference. Even if it don'es look traditionally fungal it's worth ruling out. Did they ever do a biopsy? That is the next step if steroid and antifungal both fail.

When is the last time you were on oral steroids? A short burst could knock out the rash if it is inflammatory and address inflammation in your foot. Remember that swelling doesn't always appear obvious.

on nervy symptoms.... on 10/8 you wrote that color was good. Is the turning red when down a new symptom? Was color only good earlier when elevated? Is there any pain at all when your foot is down?

If you have had your foot elevated for a while without much "down" time post-op the autonomics can get disturbed. My peripheral nerve surgeon said this happens sometimes, especially with multiple surgeries and can take a few months to normalize.

The nervy pain with toe curls can be multiple things besides CRPS; tight ligaments around that joint that will loosen with use, mild swelling affecting the tiny delicate nerves in that area or nerves talking as function returns.

Last scenario, there is a percentage of cases of CRPS without pain and just autonomic features. I don't recall how high, I think the Dutch TREND consortium published that data.

I would give it more time. You just finally got stitches out which will allow the tissue to settle down. Hopefully the rash will get figured out and resolved soon and that will help too. I am so sorry this is dragging out so long for you. Hang in there and keep at the PT. You're gonna get out of this yet!

Sending hugs and healing love,

Littlepaw

They have not done biopsy on rash. He did give me some sample antifungal cream. I will give that a try for several days.

I finished the 6 day oral steroids about week and half ago.

The red/purple color is only when foot is down and is only in area of rash. It goes away immediately when I elevate foot only can see faint light brown color in the retangular rash pattern. Rash started 1.5 weeks after second surgery which cleaned and closed the open wound 6 weeks after the surgery to remove harware. I had very little swelling and no color change after harware removal. I am wondering g if I have venous statis dermatitis but I don't have risk factors for it surgeon said could be and mentioned rsd from his perspective for first time before the rash he had been aDamen it wasn't crps.

I doing some excesses on my own but going to ask for pt since I have met medical insurance deductible for this want get it done by end of year.

I see a PA at my primary care Monday first thing see if we areis sing some underlying health issue fory delayed healing. Then see allergist in afternoon. Back to surgeon Tuesday morning I will ask about consulting pain doc again.

I will keep you posted.