So, after having my ankle replaced 7 weeks ago, It then became infected. I was given string antibiotics, which I finished last week. Last Monday, the district nurse cane out and told me it looked better, stuck a dressing on and told me to leave it on for a week- that’s today.
I’ve taken it off and by god, it looks worse- I’d put a photo up but I’m sure it’s be off putting!
It’s deep red and very wet looking.
I’ve left a message for district nurse to contact me, for some advice, but nothing yet. Also, called doctor and still awaiting a call back.
Really quit worried.
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Eiram50
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Oh dear that sounds pretty nasty. May I suggest you take a photo of it and email it to your surgery for the attention of the GP? That may help the GP know how to deal with it and that can be discussed if the GP calls you.
Hopefully, they can help me when they come out this afternoon. However, given I have the infection due to the nurse having opened up the scar and left in 3 stitches, I am not confident!
I'm so sorry to hear this and it sounds like it needs looking at and as Lolabridge has suggested may be taking a photo and it mailing it to your GP. Again I know they don't always do this but when the DN comes out maybe she needs to take a swab, to see firstly what it is but also to possible target the right antibiotics or what ever is necessary to treat it. I'm no medic but the only reason I say this was my toe became badly infected after a partial nail removal (never again) and after five courses of antibiotics it was swabbed and they found out I was resistant to some and they were able to target it with one that cleared it up. It must be so frustrating for you. Again I was told that many different things, keep it covered, keep it open, keep it dry, bathe it. So in the end I bathed it in salt water and dry dressed it. Not saying this is what you should do but I was so fed up of getting mixed messages. So please get in touch with your GP and do take care, sending some supportive wishes, Pip x
Oh Marie, poor you! Have you been in contact with the surgeon? Might be worth emailing a photo to him via his secretary or the department. Take care xxx
I called them today Sophie and he will call be back . Hope you’re feeling a little better? X
Hugs Marie as nothing else to say. Last thing you need is another battle BUT make sure you are seen today as the worry will cause you to much stress as well. Even 111/999 so they can access it if you are worried about going to a hospital.
Nurse came and said it’s still infected, hot and covering a wider area. She cleaned and dressed it and said she’d contact doctor for more antibiotics and return on Friday.
Called doctor and receptionist said she’d written a prescription for the same antibiotics I’ve just finished. I’ve asked that the doctor call me back as my wound has never been swabbed and therefore, I could be resistant to this antibiotic so not point taking another week of them.
Doctor had just called and has agreed to try a different antibiotic. I mentioned that the wound had never been swabbed and her response was that the nurse I saw today had spoken to another doctor in the practice and she hadn’t been privy to the discussion - I thought that’s why they kept records, everything should be recorded on TRAK? Anyway, she’s going to call the district nurse in the morning and have another discussion with her but I’ve to get the antibiotics tomorrow and work in the promise that the nurse will be back out to have a look at it on Friday x
Flipping heck you really are struggling. Same antibiotics??? Really feel like they are fobbing you off. I’m not enamoured with your district nurses either they don’t inspire confidence so far. Your right I think a swab is needed. Wishing you well
It's certainly not first class service! Really not good enough, have to say district nurses have in my experience been on the ball, but obviously not in this case. Sheer laziness of the gp to prescribe the antibiotic that clearly hasn't worked.
I do hope this works, I know how debilitating this sort of infection is. Take care x
I'm lost for words when the doctor was going to issue you with the same antibiotics...grrrrr! I don't know why they are so reluctant to swab, as I said I had to raise it and thank goodness I did as I was feeling quite unwell with the infection in my toe and the effects of all those antibiotics I needn't have taken. So hope you get things sorted out for you and lets hope it heals soon. Take care x
Even when raising the possibility of swabbing it, she seemed reluctant and I had to push the issue so as not to just get another week of the same antibiotics. I called the surgeon today and I’m hopeful he’ll get back to me Tomorrow as frankly, I’m a little anxious about it.
I know an infection in the replacement is very serious and I don’t want it to run on and end up with me in hospital.
Get it seen to asap. I used 111 online during the lockdown for a UTI and it was fantastic - a doctor called me back, we discussed the problem, he prescribed antibiotics and sent request through to my local pharmacy which my husband collected - all in under 90 minutes! Better service than before the lockdown.
Seriously, any infection needs sorting. My first THR became infected and I was ignored for 2 weeks by GPs (thinking sickness bug), then hospitalised by GP and ignored in hospital for a week (thinking gastro) before they realised after a full body CT scan that it was the prosthetic hip that was infected. Long story, but 4 months in hospital, lots of IV antibiotics, THR had to come out, no hip at all for months, couldn't walk, unbelievably painful, before new THR went back in months later.
Heck Marie, not what's needed at all. I do hope the next course of antibiotics do the trick. I do think that the Surgeon should be involved, organ grinder & all that, I would have contacted him too. Hopefully he, or one of his team, will get back to you today with appropriate advice. I would otherwise have bathed it in boiled salted water, cooled down some first of course, but best to see what's advised first. Have you left the dressing off to let it breathe & dry out somewhat? It's hard to know whether that's a bit risky or not though. Well, let's hope you're contacted today. x
I hope you and your husband are doing ok in this difficult time.
Unfortunately, because I’m not fully Wright bearing yet and I have to wear the big boot, it cannot be without a dressing.
It’s also very wet and yucky- but if a nightmare really.
I too hope my surgeon calls back as I have to admit to being very disappointed with my GP/district nurses. I’ve consistently been given contradictory advice and it’s been less than helpful. It’s a bit annoying as the wound had been fine until the practice nurse took out the stitches when it appears she accidentally opened the wound and left three stitches in. The scan had them grown over the stitches so the district nurse had to lift it to get the stitches out - it wasn’t easy!
Anyway, like you say, here’s hoping these antibiotics take hold as I have to admit to a real anxiety around being admitted to hospital at this point.
We're getting on ok thanks Marie, you have to don't you? H is doing the shopping, waiting as long as we can so he just do the one shop. It does bother me as he's diabetic as well as his other health issues but won't have me go, I've not been out in 6 weeks or so. Thank goodness we have a garden!
I hadn't considered you'd still be in your boot. How you must wish that the practice nurse had done the job properly in the first place. I didn’t have the problems you had but when I split my calf open I had half of my 18 external stitches taken out one week & the remainder (or so we thought) taken out the next. Two were missed & it became infected, whilst it healed pretty quickly I do have a larger scar at the top due to having to have them fished out.
Well, I do hope you avoid needing to go into hospital, though Mavis' experience does sound good if it is necessary, I would guess all hospitals are following the same protocol at this time. x
I too was worried about going into hospital, but here I am, sitting in the Western awaiting my discharge letter. I had a blocked bowel, and spent Frisay night vomiting continuously. I was frightened to contact 111 because I was so worried about infection risks.
However, I have to say that because I was registered as shielding, everyone was scrupulously careful, on call gp completely kitted out, mask, visor etc.
On arrival I was put in a separate side room in surgical assessment , everyone masked, and on the ward am in a single ensuite room. Surgeons used every trick to avoid surgery, and thankfully it worked, and no op.
I just want to reassure you if you do have to go in, they will take the greatest care. Hope it doesn't come to it, but my experience has been fantastic.
On a positive note, hope it has improved today. Do take care, Mavis x
I hope you're feeling a little better at least Mavis. It's rotten being like that, & then needing to be hospitalised as things are, sounds like they were well organised though. I hope someone's looking after you. x
N ot good as we all want to avoid hospitals.After my last replacement knee i was told to get in touch with them if i had any problems and not my gp.Hope you get some answers soon as it is a worry when they dont seem to be on the same page,Take care
Thank you . I’ve had both knees replaced, both hips replaced, surgery on feet - this year alone I’ve had gallbladder removed, surgery on pelvis and wrist and never once have I had an infection. I know accidents happen but I do believe the nurse really made a bad job of removing the stitches and then leaving some in and then it was inconsistent and wrong wound care advice given. Not great x
Oh my god you have been you have been through the mill.I have had a lot of surgery also and never had any problems but you put your faith in the doctors and nurses to look after you and i did notice the difference when i had my knee replacement this time when i came out of hospital no nurse came in i had to go to the surgery to have my stitches out last time with my hip they came to me.Hope someone gets in touch soon x
Glad to hear things are going ok for you both. You’re right, we do just have to get in with things, doing the best we can whilst always being mindful - it can be tiring though, can’t it?
Yeah, I’m unhappy with the nurse and my surgery, it seems to have been bad advice after bad advice but, we are where we rate and I just pray this round of antibiotics do the trick.
I’m encouraged by Mavis’ experience, although not that I’d wish anyone in hospital, especially now but she definitely lessened my anxiety.
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