No Range of Motion (ROM) for 26 weeks in my left knee

just found this info on another website

Stage 1


lasts 1 to 3 months
severe, burning pain
muscle spasm
joint stiffness
rapid hair growth
skin color and temperature changes

Stage 2


lasts from 3 to 6 months
pain which becomes more intense
swelling
decreased hair growth
nails which are cracked, brittle, grooved, spotty
softened bones
stiff joints
weak muscle tone

Stage 3


irreversible changes to skin and bone
pain is continuous
muscle atrophy
severe limited mobility
contractions of muscles and tendons (limbs may be twisted)

which stage do you feel your in?

if im really honest with myself i'd say 2, but i cant even admit i have it....
if i have this is it possible to get my mobility back to normal?
no ive not gained anymore flexion its just way too painful to try and push it more,

have a look at this useful website. i dont normally like some of the American websites as they are usually advertising something but this has some really good advice. take a look. hope its useful.

http://artzoo.com/health/print.htm

thankyou, it is very useful and it explains a lot
i wish i never went to that pain clinic, i could still be in complete denial.. anyway i suppose i'd better admit it

ive got an appointment today for a tens fitting on october 8th, what is a tens fitting?

a tens machine is a modality that can help reduce pain. some people do find them extremely effective. they are a small box that can clip on your belt. they then connect electrodes to it that pass a small electric current through the area affected. it effectively intercepts the pain signals and blocks them off. if it works for you you may not need so many painkillers and it may allow you to exercise

i dont like the sound of that, but thanx for explaining it to me

its not as bad as i probably made it sound. hope it works for you:)

im sure it will work, if that doesnt something has to, otherwise they can take my leg

try and be possitive. RSD/CRPS does improve, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort and physio. have you got the TENS?

i havent got a long time i have a life to live and a job i need to get back to..
my mum bought me a TENS machine today i dont know where to put it though, i dont go to the hospital for the TENS until OCT 8TH
ive started the gabapentin today its making me feel spaced out and my dose is being doubled next week, then doubled again the week after, that should be fun

11/2 hrs every day for 9 weeks is a lot to ask someone to do. also RSD pain is different to post-op pain.

did the TENS not come with instructions on how to use it. its not rocket science. i would get it out and give it a go. it couldnt make you any worse by the sound of it.

i think that you will have to prepare yourself for a long recovery period im affraid.

yes it comes with insructions im just not sure where to put the pads as my leg is so sensitive

im no expert with TENs by any means but i gues that you couldeven apply the electrodes at your lower back if your leg is too sensitive as the pain signals have to travel through this area. worth a try ??

what do you think will hapen with work? can you afford to be off long term?

i have a meeting at work tomorrow to discuss my sick leave, i dont know whether to tell them about the crps or not....
the occ health doctor has said im unfit for any kinda work so they cant even offer me a alternaitve post...and i cant afford to be off sick long term i wish i had some kind of time scale 3 months? 6 months? a year or more? the worst part is not knowing.
i will try that with the TENS later

i bet that you could do without that extra stress right now. good luck for tomorrow

thanks, yer i cud do without that extra stress but i have to try to be positve, and realise that whatever will be will be..
can i take a moment to thankyou for all the time you've spent with me it has helped me

no problem. glad to help. wishing you a speedy recovery

ive been for the meeting at work...
the outcome of this is when i next see the occ health doc on oct 30th if he says im still unable to work, they are going to dismiss me on the grounds of ill health, talk about kicking me when im down.
my opinion in this is it isnt giving me very long to tryto recover as i dont start treatment until oct 8th
ive also got a appointment for a 2nd opinion for orthopaedic this is 19th oct, its a another hospital so a fresh set of eyes on the job

thats bad news sorry to hear that. how long have you worked there? are you in any kind of union that can support you?

ive been there 2 years, yes im with unison but im not sure that they would be able todo anything

at least if you do lose your job ,in a way it might take some pressure of you.
surely you will be entitled to some benefits to help financially

did you try the TENS ? if you can tollerate it the electrode placement suggested by altohealth would be the best to try.

yer im entitled to some benefits, but its only a fraction of what im used to living on...
i tried the TENS with little effect, going to force myself to tolerate it on my knee a little later, as its been quite a good day knee wise

hope it works for you

ive used it on my knee, and now my leg just keeps going into spasm, dont know whether this is good or bad