My name is Carrie and I am trying to help a good friend who very much needs a surgery to help with debilitating pain.

Her name is Stacie and 17 years ago, in a freak accident, she fell down the steps which resulted in a broken foot and CRPS. Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome is when the sympathetic nerve system is turned on (due to damage) and never shuts off. This causes less blood circulation to the area (her foot and ankle) and less blood flow affects the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It affects movement and causes severe pain. CRPS can spread anywhere in the body and has already spread to her lower back and both legs.

After 20+ surgeries, thousands of injections and countless infections, it was suggested to amputate below the knee on her left side. With her husband and 2 little girls support, and the hope of becoming an active mom and wife again, she had the surgery in January of 2020. She wouldn’t be pain free but could be as active as possible and work the jobs she loves as a parapro and swim instructor.

She has tried many different systems and is currently using the best one available for CRPS that is in Michigan. She is still in severe pain and uses crutches, a wheelchair or knee scooter as alternatives.

There is a new to the USA system that has been approved, Osseointegration (OI), which is available in New York. They place a custom made implant into the tibia that the bone grows into and around. The prosthetic ankle and foot screw onto the post which has become part of her skeleton. This alleviates the need for a “leg” which aggravates the stump and causes pain!

The OI operation is roughly $30,000. I would love to help her reach the goal. It is so hard to watch my friend be in so much pain.

Thank you for your help!

Attached you will find pictures of her phases and what the surgery will look like.