Question
I have been diagnosed with rsd for my hand and feet. The doctor doesn't know what the clicking or popping is in my feet. It has been painful and tried Can walker but no use this has been going on for years the clicking first started in right foot then left. It has gotten louder and they both click most of the time. I can make them click by rotating ankle. My wrists just started clicking too. Both. What is all this clicking coming from?? I have burning pain.. Can clicking occur in rsd ?? Or another condion like psortic arthritis?? I am doing physical therapy but knees hurt while doing stuff and feet after

Answer
Hi Heather, RSD can manifest with a wide range of symptoms.  Usually when my patients describe sounds of clicking in their ankle or foot, I would investigate if the joint had arthritis.  Joints that are uneven can cause rubbing of the bones or irregular functioning of tendons which can cause a clicking sound.  Having RSD limits your treatment for this unfortunately.  When the clicking occurs, is it painful?  Some people experience these symptoms without pain from the clicking but from using the actual joint with walking.  Although a cam-walker is a useful prosthetic device for offloading, you shouldn't use it for prolonged periods of time.  RSD causes osteopenic bone in itself combined with a cam-walker for prolonged periods of time will cause severe atrophy from disuse.  I would consider diagnostic injection of the ankle joint itself and/or physical therapy.  If you also have psoriatic arthritis that can definitely cause significant arthritic changes in the knee and ankle which wouldn't be related to the RSD; however, the RSD may be exacerbating your pain.  If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Dr. Leslie Johnston, DPM

Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry

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