Burning nerve pain following severe trauma to foot/ankle

Thank you for responding, and the great info that you provide.
I have another reason for not wanting a needle into my spine: I had an epidural with my first childbirth experience and it did not "take" except for partial numbing of my right leg. So natural childbirth it was! Chose that for the other 2 births since a focused source of pain is very tolerable when I know that there is an end point with a glorious blessing!
Fast forward several decades, and about 11 yrs ago I had a spinal tap to help with ruling out MS. The after effects of what oftentimes results from spinal taps were excruciating non-stop headache, vertigo, and pretty violent, repeated vomiting. Returned to the hospital (3 days post procedure) and the anesthesiologist inserted yet another needle into my spine, because I was told that it would resolve the spinal tap effects that wrecked me for 72 hours. And indeed it worked! But I never again want a needle into my spine after what I suffered. I don't have an issue with needles...but strongly oppose them into my spine. And I concur with what happened with injections into areas of your feet. I had 2 into the ankle and will not allow that again: After anesthetic injected in the areas prior the procedure wore off, a demonic pain possessed my entire foot, especially in the ankle itself, so procedure was not worth it. It was suggested by the foot orthopedist (same one who injected the ankle) that injections into the foot bed and into painful neuromas under the toes could possibly (but no guarantee) alleviate what is going on in those areas. He warned me that the associated pain could well be worse than what I'd experienced with the ankle, and would have to be periodically done. NO thanks was my polite but firm reply...
As far as tolerating/living with pain, I'm no stranger to that demon known as PAIN. Have unfortunately learned to live with various pain for over 40 yrs (I'm 75 now) but the traumas to left side of body brought on by harsh fall on June 7 2021 have not all improved and are my biggest challenges...the entire leg (especially knee and foot) still control the quality of my life. But I am determined to figure out to whom I can turn within the medical community that can possibly help beyond just injections (or medical marijuana, which I really don't want), and am researching physiatrists today.
Thank you for having answered the question that I posted to you. I wish you a future as painfree as possible.🌺

you are most welcome. I wonder if it is worth going under anaesthetic to have this procedue done and just see how long it lasts. The only pills that help bone on bone is Palexia morning and night .... just incase that is helpful to you. For inflamation Celebrex... but any types of codeine put me to sleep so i only take this at night time. Lyrica helps with nerve pain, I haven't had it for some years since my neck operation , however i was given it in hospital for me hip replacement and i have to say a small dose at 25mg i feel like might be the way to go for those pesky nerve pains. I have never had a low dose only high doses and i really didnt like the effect of them but am seriously considering staying on this low dose of 25mg moving forward.
I wish you all the very best and take care.

Hi John, just a few words on what I learned/encountered in my search for someone knowledgeable about TTS:
No such person exists anywhere within my world. Even my highly regarded neurologist did not want to re-do his diagnosis of CRPS, particularly since the "signs" are all there for that diagnosis. I did a lot of questioning within my community, getting names of possible "leads" but nothing panned out. Exhausting and time consuming, so I gave up that avenue. Concenrated instead on what I faced with CRPS, obtaining a qualified pain management doctor not affiliated with a medical group, and that would be In Network with my better than average insurance. Another important aspect: Had to be within reasonable (no more than 20 minutes) driving distance from our home since I don't particularly enjoy driving and face anxiety when on anything but roads; won't/can't do highways, expressways and especially will not consider a distal location. So I found a private practice PM doctor! Checked his background, etc., and got an appointment that was not 2 years into the future! Absolutely loved his warm, personable, attentive manner of interaction. He LISTENED, asked questions that made me feel assured that he actually understood. Upon examining my affected foot (and comparing to the other one), he noted the several areas of discoloration where the skin seemed almost like eczema. Also noted a bit of swelling, pressed areas that elicited pain on both sides of ankle of injured foot, took photos. He said he absolutely agreed with diagnosis of CRPS, and that he found similar symptoms in right foot/ankle/leg as well. The right side of my body had not smashed onto the concrete with the same force as the left. We had an unrushed visit in which he covered the history of what brought me to his practice. I emphasized that no, I was no longer interested in injections into the joints, and definitely not into my lumbar spine (where MRI showed that I have a great deal of issues with nerves/discs). Emphasized that I should return to PT because the affected foot/ankle area was a bit "tight" and that PT is top of the list for CRPS. So I agreed to more PT, informing him that my top-notch podiatrist had recommended the very same plan.
Thus I set about trying to get a PT center that had experience with therapy for condition that I presented. In another post here on mayoconnect, I relate what I went through trying to locate an experienced, qualified center. Not one even knew what CRPS entailed (had never even heard of it). My podiatrist had especially advised me to question because it was imperative to avoid incurring more issues inadvertently. I thus turned to the excellent therapist who had helped me with my knee issues, told him what I needed, and proposed that I provide him with info and he work out a plan for dealing with the issues in my ankle/foot/lower leg. Bottom line: Jacek has helped to bring down the 24/7 constantly burning nerve pain from a 7 to 8 out of 10 to a more tolerable level 5-6. The less burning pain is still constant (never goes away!) and the joints still feel as if super-stuffed with cotton or other "packing material", and it extends still up the leg but my anxiety level is less intense because what I now have is so more tolerable. Not that I'm happy to have to deal with CRPS, but it sure beats having high blood pressure and tense body due to coping with such incredible pain. I'll continue PT for a few more weeks. I've paid out quite a bit on co-pays for PT twice per week, several courses for various affected areas, since July 2021...Thank God that my insurance so generously provides PT and OT, as well as whatever else my various doctors have prescribed. But I am concerned about how the right appendage has developed similar symptoms, including the skin discoloration and sensation of numbness and pain (albeit at a lesser degree). Within research, I learned that it is not unusual for the opposite side of body to "mirror" CRPS, even cases of people who have had it spread to other areas of the body. Amazing!
I just wanted to fill you in, since you had been wonderful about indicating the existence of TTS months ago. Peripheral neuropathy and neuralgia are present as well, so I don't contemplate obliterating what I'm dealing with. But I am making progress, so I'll run with that. (Pun intended since there's no way I can engage in that activity!😁)
Gracias again, John. 😊