High Tibial Osteotomy and CRPS

I am so sad and sorry to hear this. I pray you will get better. I too was diagnosed with Crps. Right now I soak my leg three times a day in Epsom salts. I also take lyrica. 

Right now I am looking into calmare therapy and low dose nalrexone

i pray one works. I will let you know

keep desensitizing and researching. Never use ice. 

you are in my prayers.

Hello.

I have CRPS in my right foot and leg. I have had it for a little over 2 years.

I take Gabapentin, Pristiq and Benadryl. The Benadryl has really helped my pain and swelling and it puts me to sleep and keeps me asleep.

I take 600 mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day. One 50 mg Pristiq XR a day and 5O mg of Benadryl at bedtime.

Do NOT use ice or compression or elevation to reduce swelling or to reduce the burning sensation. Ice will cause it to spread and damage the already damaged nerves. Compression and elevating the limb will only impede the delivery of oxygen and nutrients (blood) from the damaged tissues. Compression is hard in the nerves too. I made all of these mistakes before I knew I had CRPS and it made the CRPS worse.

Also, conventional physical therapy DOES NOT work for CRPS. Only do physical therapy that is SPECIFICALLY for CRPS. If you cannot find a physical therapist who knows how to treat CRPS, look up exercises for CRPS on the internet. Look up aquatic exercises for CRPS.

If there is a pool near you, try to do range of motion exercises in the deep end of the pool while using a pool noodle under your arms to keep you afloat.

I did aquatic physical therapy in a warm salt water pool at the local hospital. It was going well until one therapist had me do conventional physical therapy exercises in the pool and it injured me further and the CRPS spread from just my foot and ankle up my leg. She had me do jumping jacks in the pool. I was in water up to my neck but the slamming against the bottom of the pool further injured me.

I laid on the couch for a couple of months but I knew that I had to get moving again. I was on crutches the whole time.

My local recreational center has a pool. So, I bought a pool noodle and got in the deep end and did all of the range of motion exercises I had learned in physical therapy. Sometimes I also walked in the pool in water about at my collar bone. I also did sidestep walking and crisscross walking in the same depth. Eventually I could swim laps with just moving my good leg. I was able to walk with the crutches, put my foot down but using the crutches still. I discovered that the pool chemicals were causing some pain in my foot but I was going every day and the pool was using WAY too many chemicals. So, keep that in mind and maybe go a few times a week and wash your foot well when you get out. I showered immediately after getting out of the pool. I used the center's handicapped changing room.

During this time (the first CRPS year) I was taking the Pristiq and 2700 mg of Gabapentin a day. I was not taking the Benadryl at this time. I live in Colorado. I was taking a certain recently legalized substance. But only at bedtime. An edible. It helped so much with the pain, stopped the spasms, brought the swelling down and put me to sleep and kept me asleep.

After a year I started to take 2 Benadryl at bedtime too. My pain became even less and I started walking without crutches in my kitchen. Then around the whole house, then outside then in public. At first I had a limp and I was slow but I was walking without the crutches and the pain became less and less. The limp went away and my pace quickened. I haven't had a spasm sine Christmas night 2016 and that was because I had some wine. My pain hasn't been above a 5 since the same Christmas night. I no longer take that legalized substance, I stopped May of this year and cut back the Gabapentin to 1800 mg a day. I still take the Pristiq and the 2 Benadryl at bedtime.

I have been without crutches for a year and 2 months now. I never thought I would walk unaided again. I thought I would be in horrendous pain all the time. But I am walking by myself again, shopping, cleaning house, sleeping well and keeping the pain below a 4 or 5. Somedays it is a 1 or 2 or 3 or none, just some numbness. Other days it is a 4. Hardly ever a 5. The Benadryl at night brought the pain way down at night so I can sleep. Being able to walk has basically eliminated the swelling and discoloration.

I avoid as much as I can- sugar, flour, pasta, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, potatoes, tomatoes, processed foods, franchise restaurant food, preservatives, artificial anything. I have found that all of these foods aggravate the pain, swelling and temperature of the CRPS. If I have any if these foods I know I will have elevated pain & swelling & the foot will get warmer & turn red.

I went through the cold phase the first winter and spring (2015-2016) but doing the pool therapy and finally walking seems to have stopped the cold & cold burn phase. Sometimes it does get uncomfortably warm but usually only when I eat unhealthy. Then I hold it in front of a fan or run cool water over it.

I don't put anything on the foot like lotion or ointment. I found that it aggravates the nerves.

I use all natural soap and laundry products. Chemicals aggravate the nerves.

Get fresh air and sunshine. I watched funny comedies and laughed. I read. I petted my cat, she wouldn't leave my side. Drink lots of clean water, eat clean. I worked crossword puzzles, worked jigsaw puzzles, colored in adult coloring books. I felt silly at first with the coloring but I found that I actually enjoyed it. It took my mind off the pain, it was creative and relaxing. Do something you enjoy. Of course being too physical right away is not a good idea but find things that are non physical that you enjoy. This is important. It takes your mind off the pain and gives you enjoyment.

I found being mindful and grateful was helpful. Find something to be in awe of every day.

Another exercise that is good for range of motion is tracing the alphabet in the air with your big toe. Point your foot and trace the alphabet capital letters then small cursive letters hold your knee still if you can. Just use your ankle. That will at least keep range of motion in your ankle.

I had a piece of cake this evening and my foot is warm & red & stingy. I'm paying for that piece of cake. I made it from scratch with organic ingredients but it doesn't matter. It is still hurting. About a 3. Need to get it in front of the air conditioner.

Ask me any questions. I am here to listen and help if I can.

I hope you recover. I wish you less pain and more peace and blessings.

Take care as best you can.

I hope this helps.

Gentle hugs, Tracy

Oh yeah, the desensitization. Start by touching the limb & foot with something soft. When you can stand that move on to something a little rougher and so on and so on. I started by when I was laying in bed I rubbed my foot on the sheets. Then a sock, a wet washcloth, the material of the couch as I laid there watching TV or coloring or working the Sunday crossword puzzle. Don't overstimulate the foot & limb too much. Start with soft items and for shorts periods of time during the day. Slow & easy & steady. Pace yourself.I can now use a soft bristled brush in the shower.

When I showered I used to sit but the shower was actually the first place I started to stand unaided. Too hot of water hurts my foot still.

Pace yourself with everything. Don't overdo, rest often but do keep the limb & joints moving just pace yourself.

Take care,

Tracy