Hi im new to the group . Wanted to share my story of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome .
2021 - I had a 1m fall at work from elevated walkway onboard a fuel cargo ship. Landing knee 1st onto a gridmesh step. I tried to catch my fall extending my left arm to a stair railing . Next day my knee was sore but my left shoulder a severe dull inner pain. Docs sent me for a scan , revealing a torn Labrum . (Shoulder tear) I was tbooked to have private surgery within 2 weeks . With this surgery they add a 12hr nerve block . Post opp when the nerve block wore off i knew i was in trouble . I shaking uncontrolably in pain like i have never encountered before . The opp was a overnight stay . I sayed for 2 more nights . Sent home 6 weeks 24/7 arm in a sling . Other than for pendular movement and showering . Week 7 start physio. I cant move my arm and physio says i need to get pain levels under control before they can do anything . Sent to a pain management specialist . My arms all blotchy , my elbows blown out to tennis ball size , and im getting bolts of lightning traveling through my arm . Im told i fit the criteria of CRPS . Physio . Ive done mirror therapy . Moving good arm in front the mirror caused bad arm to flare up. Droped back to picture therapy . Pictures of people using theur arm and i cant for the life of me identify the difference between left or right hands in a picture . Im told ive lost the pathway to an extent and cognitive function . Its 4 years now post opp and i have failed return to work medicals twice . Ive been poked and prodded and jumped through every hoop like a circus pony . Im over it . I rarely leave the house for the fear of someone bumping my arm . I havnt had the lightning bolts for a while but know all to well they are only 1 sudden movement away . I still have a limited range of movement in my left arm , 18% permanent impairment . Im now having back and opposite shoulder issues as i only lift items with my good arm . I didnt believe in CRPS at the start and i was so convinced that i had a botched surgery . The turning point was when my physio said to read forums likes of peoples accounts of CRPS . SO many cases near identical to mine . All this from a 1m fall