Medical professionals will tell you that infections are not ‘if’ but when with ilizarov and TSF frames. The bone/skin interface of the protruding pins is a haven for bugs and they can take hold very quickly as a result.
So with little pomp I presented myself at my GP’s Surgery last week. A pin site had become increasingly sore and inflamed over a few days and the skin surrounding it had begin to break down.
Sure enough my GP agreed that it is almost certainly infected. A swab was taken for testing but hard lumps under the skin are an indication that a possible abscess had already formed. The pin wire goes right through my leg from front to back and both ends are infected, one minor, one bad. And so I am now on a course of very strong antibiotics.
If the infection isn’t showing signs of subsiding by Monday then Its likely I will have to be admitted for a course of even stronger antibiotics via an IV so I’m praying they take effect quickly! Worse still, if no improvement then I have to suspend lengthening which is not good.
And the worst of it? Out of 15 pins, the one that gets infected is the one that goes through from front top of thigh and out my buttock. Already uncomfortable enough when sitting on, its now almost unbearable and I have to try and sit on my left hand side, neither easy not relaxing!
Oh well, it can only get better……right? And in case you’re wondering, I thought these pics really did cross the line and so have left them off!
until i read the last line i was actually wondering where the pictures were! hope the anti-biotics kick in soon!
i had the same op 3 years ago only i had 6.5cms shortning at royal london hospital
the professer did a new way of speeding up the lenghthening proces using a rod inside the bone bone paste bone from my hip and cage on out side of leg it only took 3 months instead of 18months. when i turned the key the pin would rip through the skin and left me with a 5cm hole in my leg what got infectid badly. but after 3moths i had a leg same size as normal one i would not go through that pain again it was hell tightening the screws 2 times a day i would scream in pain.
good luck to you mate no what you are going through
I guess it was just a matter of time. I had a few infections early on. My doctor put me on a permanent (until the frame is off) low dose of antibiotics. That seems to be doing the trick. I hope you feel better soon!