chronic bad infection post spinal surgery

[pommiepom]

Hi, i had a L4/5 laminectomy and L5 discectomy in sept 2001 and since the orignial operation i have been in hosptial 8 times with chronic infection the wound still hasnt healed and the pain is getting worse but the the  same pain i had before the op but a different pain. Lately i have been having a weird feeling going odwn my right side, whereas my right side i have never had a prob with, but now im getting loss of feeling in my right leg and it keeps giving way, my neurosurgeon said it will be ok and wasnt worried just said it will go away ater i get the wound fixed up. The neuro is now saying i have oestomylitis in my sppine which is at L4,5 and has now gone to L2,1, im worried that this is going to affect ym balance and ill never beb able to work as i havent been able to work since the operation. Im on pain medication and oral anitbotics which i dont think is helping the infection im in hospital every 3mths when the infection gets really bad. WHat are my options? Why  isnt my wound healed after nearly 16mths? Will a skin graft help the wound or will it happen again? Will the numbness in my right leg get better as before the orignial op i lost all feeling in my left leg which is slowly comming backnow the right doing it what can i do
Please help. In is australia. My neuro wont give me copies of my scans or results so i can get a second opinion.
Help is needed.

[drl143]

A related discussion, Fluid collection concerning infection was started.

[Annabel]

Hi! I would ring your doctor and ask for a prescription of penicillin or antibiotic, you cannot take a chance, feeling cold and shivery is often a sign of low immune because of infection, I have had that feeling a few times after dental work, and had to go back for a course of penecillin. Please don't leave it to get worse, a course of pen will do you no harm post-op.

[madcowl]

i had  my neck surgery 2 weeks ago on feb. 6th and it was for a ruptured disc  and fragments  pinching the nerve.  i went to therapy today and the therapist was  a little surprised at the redness at the site of the incision, (it was done  through the rear of my neck)   and said it felt really warm . he was concerned with the possibillity of an infection . i saw the neurosurgeon  2 days ago and he said it looked somewhat red and was going to prescibe an antibiotic and changed his mind .  the therapist  said   to be really  careful with any infection but especially when it is at the  spinal area where  there was work just performed . i had also visited this board on the withdrawel symptoms of the  vicodin  because of flu like symtoms and was feeling  bad  but blamed the drugs as i tried to get off them too  quickly .

if i were getting infected , what would the symptoms be ?  i have had diarrea  and nausea ,  and just a plain bad  weak feeling but no fever , more the chills  than anything . i did wake up with a headache today which i very rarely ever get .  i am just trying to find out what to watch  for and dont want to take more meds if not needed . thanks

[Annabel]

Hi there, what is Osteomyelitis?

How does it affect the discs?

Is it only the discs it affects?  or the vertebra?

Does it cause inflammation as well as severe pain?

How does it spread, if it does?

Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Treatment should be aggressive with osteomyelitis, especially if it's really spreading to other disc spaces as you say.  There are further complications that can arise if the infection is not adequately taken care of which may lead to significant problems later on.  IV rather than oral antibiotics should be administered and further workup such as blood cultures should be done to make sure it hasn't spread there, too.  You could become very sick if it has.  I certainly don't mean to scare you, but osteomyelitis is a serious problem that requires medical attention.  Also, if there has been significant damage to the spine due to the infection, surgical stabilization may be needed. I agree that you need help, but I'm afraid Im not familiar with the healthcare system in australia and the ability to get second opinions.  But if there is truly osteomyeliti that is continuing to spread, oral antibiotics are not going to cut it for you.  If you can't get help from your neurologist or surgeon, consider an infectious disease specialist or get a second opinion from a neurosurgeon anyway. The right sided problems should also be addressed.  As I don't know your case personally, can't say if it's related to the infection, the prior surgery, or a new problem altogether.  

Start with your primary care doc and tell them you need help.  Hopefully, they will be able to direct you to someone who can.  GOod luck.