Flux Health Forum

CRPS after left foot fracture

Pain and Inflammation
#1

Hi all. Hope someone here can give me insight to trying to heal multiple 5th metatarsal fractures (initial injury 12/10/24) with bone contusions throughout toes and forefoot that never showed up on 6 sets of X-rays but finally seen on MrI mid-Jan 2025. Complicated by recent dx of CRPS of the injured foot.

Would appreciate any insight or recommendations on how to recover using PeMF or any other recommendations.

Seen by orthopedic surgeons and multiple podiatrists who said non-surgical.

6 mos post-injury, I am still on crutches, in an aircast weight-bearing as tolerated but basically housebound and greatly disabled. Dependent now for rid3s, groceries, meals, etc…Continue to have daily persistent burning and needle-like pain with swelling that worsens late afternoon or early evening to the point I can barely tolerate putting any weight at all. The only thing I can do at that point is lay down and elevate left leg/foot on 2 pillows.

In early May given an orthodox pemf bone stimulator for delayed fracture healing. I had purchased the M1 in April and started to experiment with different programs and intensity levels. Placement included side by side on top of the 5th metatarsal, one applicator on top and bottom to “sandwich” the metatarsal, and stacked. I could never tolerate any intensity level above 2. I may have overdid it at first by trying to wear it while sleeping overnight. My foot seemed to hurt and swell even more and earlier in the day. My foot also started turning bright burning red and purple/almost black whenever my foot is not elevated. I pulled back on du4atiin and am using the M1 maybe once or twice/week now at only 1-2 intensity. I haven’t really been able to tolerate the orthofix bone stimulator either.

My history is notable for neurological Lyme with longterm complications (disabled at baseline but was independent driving, groceries, basic activities of life), peripheral neuropathy in both feet but was tolerable without any meds prior to this injury, severe neurological reactions to 2 flu shots, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis/osteopenia.

I hope I will be able to recover from this and be able to stand up, walk again and get out of the air cast.

Am trying mirror therapy, pemf as tolerated, some holistic treatments like acupuncture, nutrition/supplements, myofascial release, gentle sensory desensitization.

Thanks,
Tracy

#2

Welcome to the ICES PEMF forum!

How are things going with your using it once or twice/week at only 1-2 intensity? From what you shared, you appear to fall in the “highly sensitive” category which means starting low and slow. Even starting with 10mins can be helpful and then slowly working up if you find that works for you.

Sorry to hear on the neurological lyme. Have you ever tried EBOO with UV irradiation? I am hearing that is super helpful, but that is just 2 cents / sharing what i have learned. I don’t have personal experience with Lyme.

#3

Hi TajD,

Thank you for your response and your suggestion. I will have to look up EBOO; I’m not sure what it is.

You are correct that I am super sensitive to many things including PEMF. Was trying to use the M1 for CRPS and to help heal the fractures, and sometimes the orthofix bone stimulator. Whatever program and time frame I tried seem to make the CRPS worse. Acupuncture seemed to work at first and then also aggravated CRPS symptoms.

Since I first posted my original message, I haven’t regained much mobility but the severity of CRPS symptoms have seemed to decrease and stabilize a bit. The daily horrific left foot pain (like lighting a match to my foot doused with gasoline coupled with stabbing) and intense hotness/redness are less intense . A little of the persistent swelling has also started to decrease. Continue on crutches and in aircast and constant elevation of the foot/leg.

Like many people afflicted with 24/7 symptoms and chronic illness, takes a lot of trial and error to find strategies, treatments, and modalities that actually help. For me it seems that rife coupled with red light/infrared therapy (going twice/week and started about 3 weeks ago) are helpful in turning down the intensity of CRPS symptoms. Late afternoon and night time symptoms tend to be worse but still more tolerable than a month ago.

Another strategy I am exploring through watching videos, listening to podcasts, and reading is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). I stumbled upon the works of Dr. John Sarno, Dr. Harold Schubiner, Alan Gordon, etc…and the concept of neuroplastic pain (“pain brain” and how constant pain/fear of pain can incorrectly rewire the brain’s interpretation of pain). Much of what they talk about really resonates with me, and I do find that some of the strategies of somatic tracking and trying to reassure brain/body of safety to bring down from high alert status are helpful/effective for me. Plan to actually work with a PRT expert.

I am open to all suggestions for CRPS/neurological Lyme disease to recover! I’m looking into an affordable red light/infrared foot wrap/pad to use daily at home (vs the more expensive one in my practitioner’s office), so if you’re familiar with red light, would appreciate any suggestions of brand/model or important features to look for.

Thanks,
Tracy

P.S. I also have a curatron Flash full body PEMF system. I like the full body mat for overall treatments that don’t seem to aggravate CRPS symptoms