4 weeks is a good amount of time on steroid. I wanted to be sure it wasn't a one week Medrol dosepak. I agree with Becca about double checking infection. It can be tricky to identify and treat. If you didn't take something for infection (and even if you did) I'd still keep that on the radar until you're completely sure. That case I told you about where they weren't sure of infection or CRPS was at a large teaching institution and was apparently very difficult to identify.

Pain in the ankle could be nerve irritation tracking its way up or be from sciatica. Why you are having it is the difficult thing to know. I am most concerned for you about the area where you say you don't have true skin. Is that the cause of your symptoms? What needs to be done to make it right? If you are having nerve irritation or early CRPS is that the reason?

Don't give up on finding answers. You may need another specialist. A general surgeon with a lot of wound experience may have a totally different take on everything. If you need to make appointments to get questions answered or get referrals go ahead and do that. You may feel better having a plan of action.

When you ask about burning pain, it is different probably for everyone. I have always felt my own "burning" was more like stinging from nettles or hundreds of fire ant bites. Some have a more cold burn feeling. I think the important thing is managing it no matter what the exact description. I'm glad the cymbalta is helping. I just hope they get it figured out so you aren't having it. If it turns out to be CRPS, you and doctors will deal with it and you WILL make progress. It is a challenging diagnosis but it is not hopeless. Hang in there and keep fighting for yourself. You deserve the best care you can find. It is worth the effort to get a care team that you can get back to health.

Great Advice! Worrying will not help, but making some positive plans regarding doctors and treatment will not only give you a feeling of control, but hopefully will result in treatment that will help.

Hope you get your answers and relief soon. Stay strong.

Shay

Thanks and appreciate both.
I went to podi again. The wound has to heal more. Because of swelling and inflammation nerves r getting irritated. My toe is still sore.
So once the wound completely heals it will reduce the pressure and nerve will heal. Why the wound not completely healed has no reason. But toe is sore.
It is not CRPS, podi said he is 100% sure.
Does this sound reasonable?

I think that sounds very reasonable. Just think how irritated even a small cut at the end of your finger can get until it heals.

Take care of yourself, optimize your nutrition, and find out if there is anything you need to do to help the wound heal. (saline rinse instead of soap, etc.). You can always follow up with a wound specialist if needed.

I'm glad you had a positive visit and hope you heal quickly!

Thanks little paw. I read all ur posts since beginning. And realized u have a symptoms just like me. I.e. Swelling and pain after walking. My doc says foot takes long time to heal. I hope yours also just be nerve irritation and not rsd.
Thanks again.

I can imagine your frustration with this problem, especially when one doctor suggested it might be CRPS and another is 100% sure it is not CRPS. I hope that everything heals soon and your podiatrist is correct that it is not CRPS.

In the meantime please feel free to share your frustrations with us. Whatever your outcome, your posts may some day help someone else who shares a similar problem. We may not be able to give you the answers that you want, but we can listen, share our experiences, and be here for you. Just know that others care and are praying for the best outcome for you.

Stay strong!

Shay

Hi Jopeful-
I'm going to agree with the other posts here. But I have another focus for you to consider. You acknowledge that you have anxiety, and with that comes the responsibility to yourself to not aggravate that condition. Anxiety is difficult to manage, but you do need to take care of your foot and your brain. (Neither your anxiety nor your pain is in your head- but they are in your brain.) Since your body is post op, and you're experiencing pain during healing, and anxiety about all of it, please take care of all of you. Keep your appointments and make an appointment with whoever helps you with your anxiety. If you don't have such a person ask your doctor about it or ask for a referral. Your body needs and deserves all the positive things you can do to feel good.
Wishing you healing and comfort,
Hotfoot53

I would just wait and see and keep up the appointments with your doctor(s). They will have to decide, not an online forum. We can't diagnose this, and you can't possibly expect us to do so.

I hope it's not CRPS, for your sake.