Femeral Neuropathy

[lacylee]

Hello this may be long so bear with me.

I had ACL reconstruction on April 10, 09.  I complained of numbness from the knee down (just in the front of my leg) within days after surgery, my Dr. said it was normal and that it will go away well it didn't and it took my surgeon 3 months of me complaining of the numbness to finally listen and he ordered a EMG.  I had the EMG and found that my Femeral Nerve has no function and no regrowth (3 months after sugery there should be regrowth I would think)?? so than my surgeon told me that when they put my nerve block in my leg they hit my femeral nerve and damaged it.  My surgeon than passed me onto the pain clinic.  The pain specialist I saw jumped to the conclusion that I had also developed RSD or as he called it CRIPS, and that they needed to do nerve blocks in my spine once a week to control the RSD so it doesnt spread.  I then decided to get a second opinion and went to a nerve specialist with another hospital.  She did a bone scan and it showed severe trama to the knee which was from the accident I had so we knew about that, but showed no sign of RSD.  She has me on Lyrica (which I dont think is helping with my pain at all really)? and she said I needed to see a new Orthopedic surgeon so I went to see the best one we have in the city I live in.  He also thought I showed signes of RSD but then thought I didnt have it, not sure what changed his mind??.  He said he could not scope or do any surgery on my leg because it would damage me further, that it would have to wait.  I am going to be getting another EMG to see if there is any regrowth, I am also getting yet another brace (I was fitted today) this will be my 5th brace in 7 months....

Now I have terrible pain in my knee and down my leg it seems that the numbness is spreading.  At times even my foot goes numb and tingels.  I have trouble walking, weakness, muscle atrophy, my knee gives out and just the last 4 wks my knee has started popping and snapping which is very painful and stops me in my tracks.  I have a TENS unit which I was using but recently I am unable to, I barely get it turned up and it sends the weirdest pain through my knee area.  I am in PT and trying to be as active as I can.  I just dont know what to do anymore I am in so much pain the drs just keep passing me around with no answers.  I want my life back! I have also been told its going to be 3 yrs before my nerve comes back and thats if it comes back.  what are your thoughts about that?  and have you ever heard of the Rebuilder??  Does that work for real and would that work for me??  What kind of meds would you recomend to help with my acute pain?    

Sorry this is so long (it could be longer though this is the short version LOL)

Thanks
Femeral Neuropothy HELL

[Jk06]

I'm hoping you are still online and able to read this. Hi there, pls don't wait around 3 yrs for your nerve to heal as to my personal experience it will be wasted time.  I have a similar story but in my shoulder region but the nerves were not damaged through the nerve block but through the surgery itself. There is a reason they are telling you to wait 3 years and I don't believe It is to any benefit to you. I feel that surgeons now fear to step in to treat you due to your current situation which to me I can understand due to my own situation. You need to get on the net study different surgeons and try to get one that is not in the network of any surgeon or specialist you have been treated by so far. Keep your information to a minimal with your new surgeon/specialist (eg. Don't tell them where you had your surgeries and by whom and try to remain calm, key word, remain calm) and I believe this will be your best option in ensuring you are or will be getting an honest opinion or treatment. Goodluck I really do feel your pain and fustration! I'm on 3 and1/2 yrs with my problem and still going.