infection after op

lavenderlady

some of you may remember I had my 2nd OA op on may 18th to remove my big toe joint and replace it with plates and screws, well despite going back in hospital for IV anit biotics and continously taking 2 lots of a/b's the damn thing is now healing as it should be , I might point out I ahev neuropathy in my feet due to Diabetes and my TWR last November took until end of Jan to clear up leaving me with a horrible scar due to not healing properly, the thing is I want to be prepared for the next step when i see him monday, all along my numerous blood tests have come back clear, the swelling is just the toe not the actual foot that part of the scar cleared lovely, I have got a tiny scab that is healing slowly some days the toe loks red and a little purple in colours then it could be a normalk looking colur but the swelling never really gone down, any dieas I can throw at him would be appreciated (I would rather the plate and screws are not removed if possible) any other a/bs out there apart from sodium fusidate and flucloxacillin , the flucloxacillin cleared my wrist infection up but its not working this time even with the other one

tonesp

After my hip replacement I had a problem with my scar Apparently the internal stitches that should have dissolved didn't I was allergic to them Don't know if this will help but hey ho it might just

valval

sorry can not help but just wanted you to know you not on your own we here for you good luck val

barbara12

Hi lavenderlady
I was just wondering how long you were on IV ABs maybe it should have been longer, I say this because I do know someone that had a bad infection, and they were put on IVs for two week, but they had it done at home.
I really do wish you well with all this, it must be so worrying, and please let us know how you are doing.

lavenderlady

I was on IV for 3 days in hospital, I was hoping someone could come up with a different a/b to try I will certainly ask about at home IV's tomorrow thanks as always feeling really annoyed with it now and doubting about having more pain relieving ops in the future

speedalong

OH Lavenderlady
sorry your toe is still playing up. They are small parts our body, but crucial to good mobiity and have to carry our weight. How are you coping with footwear?
I know it was a different op, but the swelling from my hip operation took months to totally disappear and could returned each evening especially if not elevated enough. It might not be swollen due to continued infection, but due to the brutality necessary during the op. As well as the meds - keep elevating and applying ice.

According to the web, other antibiotics used for folks having for bone infections include
Ampicillin
Amoxicilliin
Cephalexin
Cephaloridine
Cephalothin sodium
Gentamicin
Kanamycin
Sodium Penicillin G.
But is up to the doc to dig out his BNF (bible of meds) and keep looking until he finds one that does work. Docs are like us they tend to use the same meds - like we use the same brands of food .... he might need a nudge.

Speedy

skezier

Hi Michelle,

Speedy has given you a good list there (Hi Speedy and a ((((( ))))) and bit of cake for you and S xx)
I have bits of metal in both feet and got a huge infection when they were done. I had gangrene once and lost a toe and it kinder was going that way again.

They used a huge 3000 hit of Amoxicilliin ajd also flucloxacillin at 5000 ( I think) I don't know what they used in the IV one but those 2 combined with the iloprost 'saved' my feet.

The other thing I had problems with was the metal its self. Had a huge reaction to it. It caused discoloration and fluid build up but they were reluctant to remove it cus I just don't heal and go rotten at the drip of a hat.

It took about 18 months to really settle down and the incision was a good 20 weeks to fully close. It never ulcerated though so i was lucky.

Fingers crossed they will be able to help you a bit more than they have and let us know how you get on please? Cris x

lavenderlady

have printed the list to take with me later this morning I am desperate not to have another op already had 5 in 20 months, thanks for that Speedy, I always wear hotter shoes so can use the velcro across the top to loosen it to a comfy width, I do find I am not really resting as much as I would like not thought of ice before, right weather for it though,
Cris thanks for that info at least I'm not the only one to suffer post op infections that just drag on and on, I also think that if they operate to remove the metal I again will have a wound and stitches to heal so why bother plus the metal in my wrist op finally healed up just took months of a/b's to do so, thank you all for your help will let you know when i get back whats going to happen, michelle

barbara12

Hi
Just to let you know that my friends treatment at home was called hospital at home...it is NHS run..but not sure if all the NHS trust are doing it., so ask about it when you see your GP.....Good luck with it all

julie47

Hi Lavendarlady

Sorry you are still having trouble with your toe. I am glad you have written the list that speedy gave you.
I hope the doctor/specialist can find a solution to the problem.

I have my fingers crossed for you
take care
juliepf x

lavenderlady

you are not going to beleive this BUT I am sitting here with a plaster cast on my foot apparently the 3rd blood test to show no infection ment no more a/b's from now,
after an Xray I found out the metal plate has snapped which was holding the two ends of my toe together which has not even fused I wondered why I could still move it last week, got to keep the plaster on until friday when it will be decieded what is going to happen ( I know what) back in hospital for another op, I could not believe it I said does this happen often he said No its very rare, so why me then ??? has anyone else heard of this ???

barbara12

OMG thats awful, its bad enough having the op in the first place, you poor thing, hopefully they can mend it without another op, I cant see how
on earth it has broke in the first places.
Please let us know how you get on.

lavenderlady

Dr said "it happens very rare but it does happen" funny enough I told mum my toe has got a good lot of movement not knowing it was broken, think the plasters to stop the screws breaking off, have not any idea when or how it broke, not really had any pain to let me know, I cannot see how it can be fixed with out another op am wondering if they will just replace the plate again, if its done like that it will be 6 hospital stays in 20 months, so glad to be on Prozac to keep me chilled my GP will not believe it as well,
all 3 of my blood tests showed no infection but the swelling was thought to be infection we now know different, should have done weekly x rays instead, am going to spend today chilling out, has anyone else heard of this happening as I looked on google etc but could not find anything other then its a very rare risk not why it happens etc, thanks Michelle

barbara12

Hi Michelle
Im so glad you are chilled out, suppose it does help, I would be beside myself.
At least you now know what you are up against that's half the battle..... good luck with it all.

lavenderlady

this cast on my foot is heavy and hot, got to wait until friday to see whats going to happen, got a feeling i will be back in for another op next week no idea what they will do, probably replace the plate, :sad: :roll:

ironic

Hi Michelle,
I am glad that your mum is getting some treatment and hopefully it will be giving you some respite.
That is so upsetting that the metal plate has broken, thank goodness that this a rare occurrence but that is no consolation to you. I do hope that there is a more straight forward answer than a full operation. I am so sorry that you have had all this extra pressure Michelle.

I will be thinking of you on Friday.
Lv, I x

lavenderlady

aww thankyou, am so dreading it tomorrow, I cannot think what else they can do for me apart from another op, theres nothing to find out why this happens etc so am a bit lost, let you know when I find out my fate lol xx michelle

lavenderlady

well I was right I am booked in for the 17th aug to remove the broken metal work and screws and clean out the infection they suspect is inside, then will leave the bones unfused and hope it does so naturally if it doesnt fuse I will need to go back in for a bone graft :shock: I am so hoping my toes fixed before we go away in December, had my pre assesment today as well as an ecg blood tests bp pulse etc etc,mmr test also done, makes me think any ops i have to help with my oa is going to fail , what a year !!!! michelle