I just got a diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

[cali]

I suffered a bad segmental fracture of my tibia and a segmental fracture of my fibula 7 months ago and the tibia still isn't healed. I have an IM rod from ankle to knee. An IM rod is placed within the bored out bone and fastened with screws. I had another surgery 6 weeks ago to help the tibia heal faster. I'm still on crutches.

(So why is pain so embarrassing? I'm embarrassed that I'm still in pain. )

Anyway, I saw my surgeon today for the first time in several weeks, and he diagnosed me with RSD. I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with this. I mean after all, I thought I broke my leg and I'd be walking fine within 3 months. Now it's 7 and it's not just he pain, my leg, ankle and foot swell horribly whenever I don't keep my leg up and immobilized for most of the day (and night) That's one of the symptoms of RDS. So is the stupid pain and the discoloration.

I think I'm going to have to break down and buy new crutches (mine are old, wood and duct taped).

I think I'm going to have to get a handicapped thingie for my car.

I think I'm going to have to think about all this in a different way.