Aa
Dr. has said life with it.
My husband had a double compound fracture of Tibula & Fibula with dislocation of ankle.Few months after surgery sustained a staff infections which required removal of all hardware. Accident 4 yrs ago having pain throughout the last 3 years. Our MD. had him on tramadal, didn't work also advised foot & ankle specialist 500.00 for plastic things in shoes( diffidently did not help). 1yr Chiropractor = felt a tiny better but only for a day. 5 visits Acupuncture= felt better a day but not really. Heat,ice, Aleve ect... His x-ray shows some arthritis in ankle but I have more in my neck and hands than that. Besides the pain doesn't feel like that pain he said it's sharper. He is unable to ignore this pain and is effecting his quality of life.
First let me apologize for missing your last questions regarding a fix and what type of physician to consult.
Based on the additional information you have provided it is my guess that they are thinking by removing some scar tissue it may ease the pain. I had that done some years ago. It wasn't the cause of the pain and made no difference....but I think it made the surgeon happy to know he tried something. It was worth the try and it your husband's case it may be also.
You are correct that surgeon brings scar tissue to one degree or another. However because your husband had so much additional trauma and complications to the area they may be thinking that the scar tissue is very excessive. I think it unlikely the he will develop the amount of scar tissue that he has now following the repair surgery. In my opinion yes the repair surgery will leave scar tissue but certainly not to the extreme degree that is already there. If they are correct than the procedure may be effective, at least at some level. Unfortunately I think it's like playing craps.
Steroids may also help, in some cases they can do wonders. I wouldn't dismiss that possibility. I have seen some great results.
There are a number of specialists that I would consult, neurosurgeon or neurology, an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in just the area that is effected the most and last a rheumatologist.
I do not know what state you live in. Do you have Pain Mangement Clinics that manage chronic pain (CP) patients and prescribe pain control medications? Or is your state like mine that the PCP prescribe for and follows their CP patients? If you have PM Clinics I would request a referral for your husband. In my opinion he deserves to have at the very least have his pain manged until they are able to come up with a solution to make his pain tolerable.
Don't feel bad that you did not understand your husband's CP until recently. The important thing is that you do now. It is very difficult for those that have not been there to have empathy for us. How could you ever know?
I appreciate your updates and hope they will move quickly to provide your husband with pain reduction. Some times you have to be assertive and demand better pain control. I'll look forward to your continued updates.
Based on the additional information you have provided it is my guess that they are thinking by removing some scar tissue it may ease the pain. I had that done some years ago. It wasn't the cause of the pain and made no difference....but I think it made the surgeon happy to know he tried something. It was worth the try and it your husband's case it may be also.
You are correct that surgeon brings scar tissue to one degree or another. However because your husband had so much additional trauma and complications to the area they may be thinking that the scar tissue is very excessive. I think it unlikely the he will develop the amount of scar tissue that he has now following the repair surgery. In my opinion yes the repair surgery will leave scar tissue but certainly not to the extreme degree that is already there. If they are correct than the procedure may be effective, at least at some level. Unfortunately I think it's like playing craps.
Steroids may also help, in some cases they can do wonders. I wouldn't dismiss that possibility. I have seen some great results.
There are a number of specialists that I would consult, neurosurgeon or neurology, an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in just the area that is effected the most and last a rheumatologist.
I do not know what state you live in. Do you have Pain Mangement Clinics that manage chronic pain (CP) patients and prescribe pain control medications? Or is your state like mine that the PCP prescribe for and follows their CP patients? If you have PM Clinics I would request a referral for your husband. In my opinion he deserves to have at the very least have his pain manged until they are able to come up with a solution to make his pain tolerable.
Don't feel bad that you did not understand your husband's CP until recently. The important thing is that you do now. It is very difficult for those that have not been there to have empathy for us. How could you ever know?
I appreciate your updates and hope they will move quickly to provide your husband with pain reduction. Some times you have to be assertive and demand better pain control. I'll look forward to your continued updates.
He went to friends Dr. and they are sending him to someone else for possible sx. If that not an option then steroid injections at the site and a stronger anti-inflammatory. Doesn't seem like an answer yet. Same thing as before = send us here, send us there. How do you locate the needle in the haystack before we go broke!!
Surgery they are wanting to do is remove scar tissue from around nerves?? Anyone have this done? From what I know any surgery leaves scar tissue and build up. What will prevent it from scarring all over again???
Surgery they are wanting to do is remove scar tissue from around nerves?? Anyone have this done? From what I know any surgery leaves scar tissue and build up. What will prevent it from scarring all over again???
I am glad to hear your husband is getting help when your in pain for any kind of long term it can lower the imune system and cause a multitude of autoimmune issues so I hope you get goo advice and wish you the best of care. keep his chin up stay strong . have a good night.
Sincerly, enlightend
Sincerly, enlightend
Thank you. I starting reading all of the info on this site. And realized that he has been suffering and that his Dr. was wrong, and so was I. Tomorrow he will see a co-workers Dr. and they seemed promising. The specialist hasn't called and the way they drag their feet at our Dr it could be a while. I was told without a referral insurance won't pay but I'm not waiting for Dr.Carr anymore.
I guess i have a few questions if anyone could answer.
Is there a fix not drug to stop the pain from such a trauma? ( course stopping the pain 1st w meds)
Is a pain management clinic where we should go or nerve/muscle what ever Dr?
I guess i have a few questions if anyone could answer.
Is there a fix not drug to stop the pain from such a trauma? ( course stopping the pain 1st w meds)
Is a pain management clinic where we should go or nerve/muscle what ever Dr?
My opinion..Unfortunately your Husband has one of those Doctors who is opposed to opiates for pain relief. There are many like him. You need to find a good Pain Management Clinic so that your Husband can start the healing process.
It's widely known that if a person suffering with chronic pain can get the pain under control, they can in return start the actual healing process and learn to manage their pain. These people that achieve that live a much healthier life.
Gather up his Medical Records and do some research on the best and closest Pain management Clinic...The Internet is a great place to start. There is a lot of info regarding clinics in your area.
I wish you well and hope that you can find that Clinic.
Mollyrae
It's widely known that if a person suffering with chronic pain can get the pain under control, they can in return start the actual healing process and learn to manage their pain. These people that achieve that live a much healthier life.
Gather up his Medical Records and do some research on the best and closest Pain management Clinic...The Internet is a great place to start. There is a lot of info regarding clinics in your area.
I wish you well and hope that you can find that Clinic.
Mollyrae
I have been a vet tech forever and sometimes I forget that people cannot take as much pain as a animal.
I wasn't always this supportive.Of course I was right after but as time passed. I would hear the Dr. act like he should be fine. Tell him arthritis, stretch it & basic suck it up. I would actually call him on it too.. Fighting about him being lazy, depressed did he want out ect...
Then I started to remember the person he was before, the man I loved and trusted. Realized I was listening to the Dr. and he was wrong. I am on his side now where I should have been all along.
The Dr.s were so afraid of him getting hooked on pain meds they have made him suffer.
I requested our records because I was going to try another Dr. the nurse called and asked what? so that's what got the new appt.with an orthopedic dr.
I'm still making an appointment with this other Dr. A co-worker of my husbands says she really does try to help.
I wasn't always this supportive.Of course I was right after but as time passed. I would hear the Dr. act like he should be fine. Tell him arthritis, stretch it & basic suck it up. I would actually call him on it too.. Fighting about him being lazy, depressed did he want out ect...
Then I started to remember the person he was before, the man I loved and trusted. Realized I was listening to the Dr. and he was wrong. I am on his side now where I should have been all along.
The Dr.s were so afraid of him getting hooked on pain meds they have made him suffer.
I requested our records because I was going to try another Dr. the nurse called and asked what? so that's what got the new appt.with an orthopedic dr.
I'm still making an appointment with this other Dr. A co-worker of my husbands says she really does try to help.
Your husband should never "have to live with pain". I would suggest getting another doctor. As Tuckamore said they have tried the other approaches and he needs to have his pain under control. You may possibly ask the current doctor for a referral to a pain management doctor. It seems they are not willing to do anymore for him so it is logical to send to the next step which is pain management.
Living is pain is not easy to understand for those who do not have pain. They assume that you can just suck it up and go on and that is not the case. Chronic pain is a disease that needs treatment and you should not give up until you get some relief. There are doctors out there that understand and will treat pain.
I wish you and your husband the best of luck and hope you find the treatment he needs.
Your husband is lucky to have such a supportive wife:)
Please keep us posted.
Living is pain is not easy to understand for those who do not have pain. They assume that you can just suck it up and go on and that is not the case. Chronic pain is a disease that needs treatment and you should not give up until you get some relief. There are doctors out there that understand and will treat pain.
I wish you and your husband the best of luck and hope you find the treatment he needs.
Your husband is lucky to have such a supportive wife:)
Please keep us posted.
Hello and Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am so sorry to hear about your husband's chronic pain.
In my opinion he made benefit from a stronger pain medication. It sounds like they have taken all the conservative steps. I do not know what state you are from and where he goes from her will depend on your state practices.
In my state it is our PCP that treat and follow their chronic pain (CP) patients. In most other states CP patients are treated by PMPs. If your state in one of those than I would request a referral so other options can be offered to your husband.
The fact that he has had such trauma to the leg and ankle can certainly leave him with residual CP. I assume many muscles, ligament and tendons were at least effected to say nothing of the extreme bone(s) and soft tissue injuries. Chronic pain is a disease, just like diabetes or similar disease conditions. He deserves to be treated for it and should not be expected to function through life with uncontrolled CP.That is my personal opinion as someone that has lived with CP for years. I am far from an expert.
Our members may add their opinions and suggestions also. We are here to support you and your husband. He is so fortunate to have a spouse that is concerned and caring.
Please let us know how he is doing. I will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
In my opinion he made benefit from a stronger pain medication. It sounds like they have taken all the conservative steps. I do not know what state you are from and where he goes from her will depend on your state practices.
In my state it is our PCP that treat and follow their chronic pain (CP) patients. In most other states CP patients are treated by PMPs. If your state in one of those than I would request a referral so other options can be offered to your husband.
The fact that he has had such trauma to the leg and ankle can certainly leave him with residual CP. I assume many muscles, ligament and tendons were at least effected to say nothing of the extreme bone(s) and soft tissue injuries. Chronic pain is a disease, just like diabetes or similar disease conditions. He deserves to be treated for it and should not be expected to function through life with uncontrolled CP.That is my personal opinion as someone that has lived with CP for years. I am far from an expert.
Our members may add their opinions and suggestions also. We are here to support you and your husband. He is so fortunate to have a spouse that is concerned and caring.
Please let us know how he is doing. I will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
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