Kelly R.'s Story

For Kelly R., a simple twist of her ankle led to a twist of fate that would impact her life for the next seven years.

An ankle sprain that she suffered while hiking in the Virgin Islands set off a tragic downward cycle of pain for Kelly, pain that eventually led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

CRPS is often caused by an injury to the bones, joints, tissue or nerves and can result in worsening pain over time. Patients often suffer from severe burning pain and extreme sensitivity to the injured area. Other symptoms include swelling and loss of motion.

For Kelly, the pain in her foot became so debilitating that she could hardly walk. It got so bad that at the age of 33, she found herself using a wheelchair.

Then she met Dr. Alok Gopal at National Spine & Pain Centers’s Winchester, Virginia office. Dr. Gopal immediately initiated a treatment plan designed to help Kelly overcome the pain and get her back on her feet again—literally.

Following a series of lumbar injections, physical therapy and careful medication management, Dr. Gopal gave Kelly a series of ketamine infusions that ultimately provided the lasting pain relief that she had been seeking.