Khronicure

Tanner is a 13 year old boy who was diagnosed with CRPS/RSD in his left foot after a minor baseball injury on April 19, 2010. CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome formally known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy causes continuous and intense burning or aching in his lower leg and foot, and at times excruciating shooting pains. Tanner also experiences swelling, skin discoloration, altered temperature in his leg below the knee, abnormal sweating, clawing of his toes, and extreme sensitivity of the skin on his foot, all making it impossible for him to put on a shoe or sock. Tanner went from being very active in sports, especially baseball and football to barely being able to walk any distance. He is in pain 24 hours a day at some level. His worst pain can be at a 9 or 10 and the least being at a 7 on the pain scale. He has lost range of motion in his foot, muscle mass and has an altered gate when he walks. Tanner has had 20 epidurals to date and is right now in the process of trying an embedded catheter for 6 weeks. He goes to physical therapy 3 times a week. Tanner walks with crutches most of the time but when the pain is very intense or he has to be on his feet for any extended period of time it is necessary for him to use a wheelchair. He takes several different medications, and has a hard time sleeping; both have made it difficult to concentrate in school. A 504 plan was recently put in place to help him through the school day. Tanner’s life has completely changed. He can no longer play his favorite sports, run with his friends outside, ride his bike, or hike with his family. He has recently missed a trip to Great America with his cousins. The devastating realization that he will not be able to participate in outdoor winter activities such as snowboarding and ice fishing has been emotionally overwhelming for him. He is forced to sit on the sidelines. This may be the worst part for a child who has always been extremely active.

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Put yourself in his shoes: imagine being told by your doctor that you cannot enjoy the things you love doing anymore, such as basketball, volleyball, dance, soccer, or even WALKING. That’s what my friend has to go through. To add onto that, it feels like there are a million burning suns under your skin. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? 

It brings me to tears to hear about a friend who has been experiencing scorching pain 24/7 for over a YEAR. All of my heart and prayers go out to Tanner and his family. Hope is on its way.

Help Tanner win in the battle against RSD! Donate HERE; it will be highly appreciated! Every penny and thought counts.

by Dr. Todd E. Lininger

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) describes a specific type of chronic pain affecting a localized part of the body. Researchers do not fully understand the disease, but CRPS may results from a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system or may indicate a type of…