Figure Skating again after having Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Question

I have had Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) for the past year and a half and now after several surgries I have almost all of my pain resolved and I want to go back into Figure Skating again. I was a competitor and really into it before I got my CRPS, and now I want to go back into it, but I don't know if I should because if I were to move a lead from my Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) I would be in pain again because that SCS is what blocks my pain. What does anybody think about this who has figure skated/dealt with CRPS/or is medical professional. I've talked with my doctor and he's pretty much left it open to me to decide and I don't know what to do can anybody give me some advice?

What is everbody's opinon about skating again after having getting a chronic pain syndrome like this and having the possibility of it coming back because of a fall or something?

I've had my SCS leads in place now for a little over 4 months. I do know how easily they move because I've had 4 lead revisment surgeries because my heavy scarring from my scarring conditoin causes them to move or have the stimulus be blocked.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I've had CRPS for 8 years now, and was very active before that so I know where you're coming from. Congratulations on such a good outcome.

I can't go back to what I used to do because I still can't walk even after fairly major treatment (including SCS) but in your position I would be a little be wary: I know how easily I shifted my SCS lead early on- if the implant is a fairly recent thing, it might be an idea to wait a little while longer to reduce the chances of you pulling your lead. I'd also be worried about new injuries and spread of the CRPS to somewhere else (unfortunately have "been there, done that" as well).

Sorry that I can't offer better advice. I hope you come to the decision that is right for you.

Answer 2

I broke my left foot a year in the past, and nevertheless have CRPS in it. I actually have spent maximum of the year on crutches, hobbling round barefooted. that's in the accurate of the foot specifically, meaning i visit't positioned on a shoe. i visit get a turn flop on if the swelling isn't too undesirable, yet when I walk without my crutches for lengthy, it comes up, and rancid comes the turn flop, which replaced into no exciting in the snow very last iciness. I actually were attempting acupuncture, yet that does no longer look having any effective outcome. i'm easily at my maximum tender at the same time as my leg is in a short forged. It helps the back of my foot, the padded accurate of the forged does no longer aggravate accurate of the foot, and that i visit nevertheless bypass the front of my foot and my feet. regrettably the pro does no longer imagine casting it may actually help lengthy time period, so i'm back to my crutches and barefoot.