Hello everyone I am new to the community, after posting my RSD/surgery story I have come across a lot of useful and very helpful people here. Basically I underwent ankle reconstruction surgery for a 3rd degree sprain that happen in 07 after falling at work. During my PT I developed RSD, I received 3 rounds of PT from 07 to 08. In October of 08 it was decided my only option left was to undergo surgery, the only problem was my RSD. My surgeon was very hesitant about preforming the operation since he knew the risks of my RSD spreading and or becoming worse. Seeing it was my only option at a some what "normal" life i opted for surgery. I am now almost 3 months post-op and it looks like my RSD might be returning, this time with a vengeance. I am seeing my surgeon in a few more days, so hopefully I will get some answers.

Thx everyone for being so supportive.

Just please be VERY careful about surgery with RSD. Get several opinions......have your Pain Doc on board to give you blocks......take care and keep us posted on what you choose to do!!

Welcome and please keep us posted! This is a good place for support as well as a place to find out how others are dealing and coping with RSD and different aspects of their lives. Surgery is not recomended, but again it seems one does have to weigh the odds individually. All the best. I hope you get this uncontrol soon. Di

I'm so glad that you have found the forum helpful like I have!! Everyone is SO great and very helpful - it's so nice being able to talk to others who actually understand what the pain of RSD is like. Most of my family are there for me thankfully but it's not the same because they don't understand what RSD is and how painful it is really.

I agree with MomInPainRSD - Please be very careful about having surgery with RSD! I have had a nerve block and an ingrown toenail removed on my RSD limb and it made me so much worse and I developed complications so I try to avoid surgery if I can!! I hope the surgery goes well should you decide to go ahead with it and that your pain isn't too bad during the recovery period.

When people with RSD are having to have surgery, it is usually adviced that they have some sort of nerve block to try and keep the pain down. When I had my leg put in a splint under general anaesthetic, my Pain Management Doctor decided to do a Ketamine Epidural and when I had the ingrown toenail removed, my doctor hooked me up to a Morphine PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesic) over night. All of the nurses couldn't understand why I needed a PCA for such a minor procedure but that was probably because they had never seen a case of RSD before.

If you need anything, please let me know - i'm happy to help you if I can.

Take care and sending you many pain-free hugs!!!