Resolved question:
I was in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. Broke tibia and fibula on my right leg, open wound. Metal plates and screws used to "fix my leg".
Short story: After the accident I have had pain in my leg when using weight on my leg. Last october I was on the hospital where metal plate and screws were removed. This was to see if this would fix my pain. After the operation I got information that 2 screws wihere not removed since they broke inside my leg. I was told that that thay could stay inside there, and I would not feel anything from them.
14 days after the operation I went to my doctor to remove my stitches. 1 day later the wound started opening again, I went to the hospital - and they suspected infection in my leg. I was hospitilized and treated with antibiotics. Hospital (same one as removed my plate the first time) now wanted to remove the remaining screws, and got some special "tools" to do that. Samples showed a lot of bacteria on the screws when they were removed and also around and near my bone.
I was in hospital for nearly 2 months with antibiotic treatment and Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) - Wound Care.
infections: enterococcus faecalis and plecoglossicida.
I am still at monthly test at my doctor to check my blood values for any symptoms. For now all levels are normal, and if everything is good next time the doctor told me that it is out of my body. But I still not feel good after the infection I have had, and the leg feels worse than before they removed my plates and before the infection.
The hospital does not admit that they are the cause in my infection. They say that my infection came from many years ago, when my accident happened. Thats something I do not belive, and I have contacted a lawyer to help me with my case. I am not able to continue my job, since the pain in my leg are worse.
Can you tell me what a infection like this could do to my body? Could there be any long term effects? I have been on antibiotics for about 3 months continuos.
I need some information that I can use for my lawsuit
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Orthopedic Surgeon
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have read your complaints with diligence .
It looks like you are suffering from infection since last long time.
From your history, you seem to have chronic osteomyelitis of leg bones.
The infection related factors can be divided in two parts : one is patient factors like low immunity,diabetes,open nature of injury at first instance & others.Other factors are hospital acquired infections, which is due improper sanitary measures applied in the hospitals
It looks in your case that at first instance you were having open wound with fracture.
Such cases have major tendency for infection even after best possible treatment. It is difficult to predict whether it is due to the fracture itself or because of lack of sanitation at the hospital since E. Fecalis is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation.
It does not seem like the doctor has done anything wrong. Even the prevalence of HAIs are going up and infections are getting resistant.
Please feel free to discuss further,
Hope this all will help you.
There has actually been a comitee reviewing my case, that have sad that it is over 50% likely that the infection came from my last operation in october. So In my lawsuit they are to blame.
I would like to know some more abut what problems a infection and usage of antibiotics for a long time can do to my body. Is there any know issues that could happen? I want to know all possible problems for my worst-case cenario in my sue.
Thank you
Hello,
If you want to know about infection & effect of usage of antibiotic on body then following are the complication which can be there if infection persists for long time in body-
-Spread of infection to other organs like liver, kidney,chest & other internal organs.
-It can lead to renal amyloidosis
-Negative nitrogen balance leading to decrease in muscle mass
-Spread of infection to other bones
Long term use of antibiotics can lead to -
-Decrease in immunity
-Side effect related to that particular antibiotic which a person is using for long term like nausea, vomiting,vertigo,headache,etc.
-There can be increase chances of development of resistance for that antibiotic .
-Decrease in no. of good bacteria in gut & other part of body.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.