infection after op
lavenderlady
Posts: 409
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
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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.
Barbara
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
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
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
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
Barbara
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
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 ???
on earth it has broke in the first places.
Please let us know how you get on.
Barbara
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
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.
Barbara
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