A few weeks ago I posted that I had hurt my middle finger on my right hand.
It is still swollen and hasn't went down at all. My Dr. put duoderm tape on it to hold it straight until it could heal but it hasn't.

When I take the tape off it is still swollen, shiney and I can't bend it but halfway. The injury is in the bend and the palm of my hand. If I unwrap it then it brings out the RSD in my arm after awhile from trying to use it.

I had an appt. with my hand Dr. but had to cancell due to my sister coming in.

I was wanting your thoughts on this. Why it won't calm down. I was wondering if the RSD won't let it heal.

Thanks,
Ada

Good Morning Ada,

Since I'm new to this RSD thing - I don't have any specific experience with hurting any (twisting, spraining) extremities.

What I do notice - is that when I get a cut, it takes a long time to heal and typically leaves a noticable scar. I had scraped my arm awhile ago - it has healed, but the area of where the scrape was is shiny. It's about 2" long - and is noticably shiny (and is in the area where I have active RSD). I had another scrape from a dish hitting my foot after it broke. It may have healed - but is obvious where it was (this is where I do not have RSD).

If I were to venture a guess - I would think that the RSD is involved. Is this on a finger that is on the same side/area where the RSD is? How long has it been? Just by what I've noticed with me, the skin, nerves are affected everywhere - it's all connected. Maybe not active in certain areas, but is susceptible. Would you agree?

I look forward to hearing what others think.

Beth.

It has been at least 3 weeks since this happen. It is on the right hand which is the worst with the RSD. It's still swollen and as I said, can only bend it half way.

I've noticed also that it takes longer to heal from a cut. My skin is so thin that it just peels when I hit it on anything.

My sister is a year older then me and she doesn't have the thin skin so I believe it has to do with the RSD.

Thanks for the reply.

Ada

Hello Ada,

I am allergic to duoderm and wonder if perhaps it is not the best dressing for you at this point.
It is actually an ulcer dressing---do you have much broken skin there? If there is no break in the skin then it may well be damaging to have the movement restricted by the duoderm.
The thin skin I think is often not so much as a direct result of RSD but due to the horrendous types of medications we take to help our RSD. Many of them have skin thinning properties, especially steroids.
Take care and good luck with your sister's visit.
Cheers Tayla

I took the tape off but if I try to use my finger I just make the RSD worse. It keeps me from bending the finger. I can only bend it half way anyway.

I think your are right on the meds. I believe Prevacid is thining the skin. It just started doing it about a year ago. When I went off of it I ended up in the ER.

I agree with you, I don't want to blame everything on RSD.

Ada