First and foremost - does Fentanyl help you with your CRPS (because reading that wiki entry, it sounds terrible)?
The worst part is when it flares up, the best I can describe the nerve pain is like cramp but it is absolutely excruciating (the only way to treat it is to run a cold shower over my leg). The Fentanyl patches does help tone down the extreme end (I don't normally take anything for the breakout-pain as it's a slippery slope). I actually find cold compresses to be the best treatment for the swelling and have a constant rotation of icepacks in the freezer at home and fridge in the office). There's often a dull pain, part of which feels like I need to go to the toilet (so I end up going much more often 'just in case').
The annoying thing is that my last operation temporally fixed my knee (they removed some of the fatpad (hoffa's syndrome) in summer 2013). For three months I was able to stop taking pain killers (Tramadol at the time), swim, get back in the gym and cycle (although I never really went for it, I have a carbon-fibre road bike still in storage). It started getting painful after exercising, and gradually over six months later I was back on crutches. :(
I believe there is an underlying issue with my knee which can still be repaired. Unfortunately the Dr's I've spoke to are scared to operate (they find my case interesting until they can't figure it out and then refer me). I want to try another operation to repair it before going for a knee replacement.
Would knee replacement resolve the issue? Do you think you will undergo more surgery? Have you sought out any national experts on your particular injury?
I really didn't see this coming, even after the accident I thought I'd go back for a cheeky ski trip with the insurance money. One good thing, is that this has given me an appreciation for things (I was somewhat coasting through life at the time), when I have a good day I make the most of it.
A knee replacement is a fix, although not ideal. There is no going back and would mean having to get my knee replaced every 10 years, could be as low as 5, plus it takes around a year to recover each time (I'm in my early 30s so this means numerous operations). Having met many people in hospital who've had hip and knee replacements, it's not something I'm keen on. Saying that I have an uncle who had his knee replaced 15 years ago and has had zero problems.
With the medical advancements, even being able to grow cartilage from stem cells. I want another go at getting it repaired (was SO close last time!), although I am tempted to go the knee replacement route..