CT scan results. Infection on my vertabra.

solarscar69 · 01-28-2005, 06:54 PM

I've had pain since my wreck over two years ago and never had a CT scan until two days ago. The most severe pain was at the top of the fusion where you can you can visually see a hump in that area. Well the neuro-surgery called me to tell me that he thinks i have an infection in the bone in the vertabra above the fusion. He says the radiologist thought it was a disk going out but the neurosurgery people disagreed and think that it is an infection of the bone. He says he can see where the tip of the bone is eaten away! and i may need to get a bone density test or an MRI and may end up getting IV antibiotics. He said it wasn't an emergency and that i needed to come down right away and that they'll call me on monday for more instructions. Is this serious? What kind of complications can this cause? This really sucks as this has been going on for probably over a year, just smoldering. He says foliculitis can sometimes cuase this and i have broken out some on my back in that area. Any ideas?

*********************************
- I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up.

- Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

- Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

SCI-Nurse · 01-30-2005, 08:52 AM

Follow through with his recommendations. Bone infections can become life threatening and you could develop more spinal fractures and (franky) a higher level of injury if you ignore this.

RAB

SCI-Nurse · 01-30-2005, 09:57 PM

Also ask your physician if this could be a Charcot joint instead of an infection. They look similar on Xray, and only a biopsy can tell them apart. We have seen a number of spine Charcot joints in people with SCI, although they are more common at the lower end of the rods instead of the top. If you do have an infection, you may need surgery to clean out the infection, and usually 6 weeks of IV antibiotics, followed by more oral antibiotics. Don't mess with this...it can lead to very serious problems if untreated.

(KLD)

betheny · 01-31-2005, 01:10 AM

Holy crap Adam, I just saw this. Keep us posted-good luck.

"You need to march. You need to demand action. You need to stop feeling unempowered and do something...Freedom is your right. Until you claim your self-confidence and know your worth, no one will give it to you. It starts with you."-LetsGo

solarscar69 · 01-31-2005, 10:08 AM

The Doctors office called me today and told me that they want me to come in this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to look over the CT scan results with the surgeon. They also told me that the surgen wants to take my rods out and wanted to know if i could tentativly set a surgery date for Monday! I was like what?! I need to talk to my boss and figure out how i am going to be off of work and for how long, I have lots of bills to pay. I have two weeks vacation i could take but i fear i will be unable to work even after two weeks?

She said all of this in about 1 min. They say it is infected and that my rods have to come out and start antibiotics. I am assuming that its pretty serious if the doc wants to get my rods out so quick. I thought he would just give me antibiotics and not have to take them out, now i am freaking out. Oh well. Any advice or words of wisdom. I'm kinda scared. :-(

*********************************
- I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up.

- Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

- Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

BeeBee · 01-31-2005, 12:37 PM

The metalic rods can harbor infection, so they'll have to come out. You will most likely be on IV antibiotics for around 6 weeks (either 2 or 3 times a day) and then oral antibiotics for additional 2-3 months. Probably not what you wanted to hear... This is from experience, my son's incision became infected only a month after his accident. His surgery to excise the scar was on Sept 20, 2004 and he's still on antibiotics. Hard core stuff: Rifampin and Levaquin.
This stuff will really mess up your bowels. Before you go into the hospital start taking Lacto-baccillus. An over the counter, but have to ask for it, medication that re-colonizes your intestines. Ask for it in the hospital, it won't be offered.
Be sure and talk to your infecteous disease doctor, as well as the surgeon. He will be the one to coordinate your long term care and can help make you more comfortable for the next months. C.diff. (intestinal infection) is a possibility, as is thrush and fungus infections "down under".
Now that I've sufficiently depressed you (I didn't want you going into this blind. I'm truely sorry if you're scared now, but we went into this with NO IDEA what to expect. You don't have a choice, but at least you can be prepared), the good news is that, after the initial surgical pain, you will feel MUCH better. After about a week your pain will really start to subside and if you can stay on top of the side affects of the medications, you'll rebound fast.
When they put you on the IV stuff, ask if you can do it 2ce a day, rather than 3 times (if they don't offer). It may be an option and its amazing the difference it makes in your life. Drink TONS of water to keep down the toxicity levels from the drugs. Eat lots of yogurt.
I know you're scared. They gave you time to get scared, but also to get ready. (we had about an hour and no warning...). But do everything they tell you. Its SOOO important. Bone infections are very hard to treat and take a long time. Just the cold, hard truth. Taking the rods out is a must. The metal attracts infection and is almost impossible to remove. Ask for your cultured results from the surgery, so you will be informed of EXACTLY what the bacteria is and can research it. Some react better to the drugs than others, and since you've most likely had numerous UTI's you may be somewhat resistant. BE SURE to mention this to your Infecteous Disease doctor. It should be obvious to him, but you know that goes.
Best of luck to you, Solar. Post me back if you need to or email me.

solarscar69 · 01-31-2005, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the words beebee, i appreciate them very much! I just suspect that when i have the surgery i will have some of the same type of pain going on. After my first surgery, i was in the ICU for two weeks, came down with pnumonia, had to be intubated. After i was home i had the most intense shocking backpain ever! and i really dread being in those situations again. Its just hard to imagine that having my back cut open, muscles pulled to the side, and after taking out the rods and screws, i'll have holes in my vertabra. I can't imaging not being in intense pain from that. This doctor must think surgery is a piece of cake, maybe for him, but for me i really don't look forward to it.

I have a sit down job at work. How long would you imagine it would be before i could go back to work?

I also had two laminectomies done on the first surgery. I wonder if that caused more pain than not having had that done?

I cannot even imagine what its going to feel like after having these out. I bet its going to be strange.

Thanks so much

*********************************
- I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up.

- Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

- Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

BeeBee · 01-31-2005, 01:47 PM

My son didn't have his rods removed at the time of the infection, instead, they sent him home with a failed fussion and had them replaced 6 weeks later, so 2 surgeries, instead of one. But if I put the two together, I would think you'll be in REALLY bad shape for about 4 days, BAD shape up to seven, and then start some pretty rapid recovery. Remember that the source of the pain will be gone: infection and rod failure. Yes, the surgery will hurt, you know that, but its finally a chance to start healing.
A "sit down" job? If you're determined, otherwise healthy, and follow orders, I'd say three weeks. Do your breathing exercises religiously in the hospital. The drugs will surpress your breathing, so you have make yourself breathe. EAT. EAT. EAT. Again, hard, no appetite. High protein, high carbs.
We got the same attitude going it. So when it was all over (infection surgery, not rod replacement)we were shocked at the long term care required.
Also, remember to ask for valium right after. REALLY helps with the muscle spasms caused by the surgical trauma. Don't go home without it.
And remember, when it gets bad right after, that there is a light at the end and you will feel much better.

solarscar69 · 01-31-2005, 02:17 PM

How do they do the IV antibiotics? I am sure its through a PICC line, but would i have to go to the hospital 2-3 times a day to do this? Thats seems like a chore.

*********************************
- I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up.

- Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

- Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

BeeBee · 01-31-2005, 05:00 PM

For my son, a nurse came to the house to do it. I know they teach some people (with out the same insurance coverage) how to do it themselves, or their caregivers, I suppose. Personally, I think that's a little scary. Regular IV's are one thing, but a PICC line is so vunerable. They used a pump, called the infuser that could be used in any position, not just hanging from above. Took about 30 minutes total each dose. Kevin said it really hurt putting the line in, but after that it was painless and taking it out didn't hurt. Changing the dressing is skin-painfull.

01-28-2005, 06:54 PM	#1
solarscar69 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 383	CT scan results. Infection on my vertabra. I've had pain since my wreck over two years ago and never had a CT scan until two days ago. The most severe pain was at the top of the fusion where you can you can visually see a hump in that area. Well the neuro-surgery called me to tell me that he thinks i have an infection in the bone in the vertabra above the fusion. He says the radiologist thought it was a disk going out but the neurosurgery people disagreed and think that it is an infection of the bone. He says he can see where the tip of the bone is eaten away! and i may need to get a bone density test or an MRI and may end up getting IV antibiotics. He said it wasn't an emergency and that i needed to come down right away and that they'll call me on monday for more instructions. Is this serious? What kind of complications can this cause? This really sucks as this has been going on for probably over a year, just smoldering. He says foliculitis can sometimes cuase this and i have broken out some on my back in that area. Any ideas? ********************************* - I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up. - Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. - Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

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01-30-2005, 08:52 AM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,335	Follow through with his recommendations. Bone infections can become life threatening and you could develop more spinal fractures and (franky) a higher level of injury if you ignore this. RAB

01-30-2005, 09:57 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,335	Also ask your physician if this could be a Charcot joint instead of an infection. They look similar on Xray, and only a biopsy can tell them apart. We have seen a number of spine Charcot joints in people with SCI, although they are more common at the lower end of the rods instead of the top. If you do have an infection, you may need surgery to clean out the infection, and usually 6 weeks of IV antibiotics, followed by more oral antibiotics. Don't mess with this...it can lead to very serious problems if untreated. (KLD)

01-31-2005, 01:10 AM	#4
betheny Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oklahoma,USA Posts: 18,333	Holy crap Adam, I just saw this. Keep us posted-good luck. "You need to march. You need to demand action. You need to stop feeling unempowered and do something...Freedom is your right. Until you claim your self-confidence and know your worth, no one will give it to you. It starts with you."-LetsGo

01-31-2005, 10:08 AM	#5
solarscar69 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 383	The Doctors office called me today and told me that they want me to come in this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to look over the CT scan results with the surgeon. They also told me that the surgen wants to take my rods out and wanted to know if i could tentativly set a surgery date for Monday! I was like what?! I need to talk to my boss and figure out how i am going to be off of work and for how long, I have lots of bills to pay. I have two weeks vacation i could take but i fear i will be unable to work even after two weeks? She said all of this in about 1 min. They say it is infected and that my rods have to come out and start antibiotics. I am assuming that its pretty serious if the doc wants to get my rods out so quick. I thought he would just give me antibiotics and not have to take them out, now i am freaking out. Oh well. Any advice or words of wisdom. I'm kinda scared. :-( ********************************* - I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up. - Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. - Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

01-31-2005, 12:37 PM	#6
BeeBee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 991	The metalic rods can harbor infection, so they'll have to come out. You will most likely be on IV antibiotics for around 6 weeks (either 2 or 3 times a day) and then oral antibiotics for additional 2-3 months. Probably not what you wanted to hear... This is from experience, my son's incision became infected only a month after his accident. His surgery to excise the scar was on Sept 20, 2004 and he's still on antibiotics. Hard core stuff: Rifampin and Levaquin. This stuff will really mess up your bowels. Before you go into the hospital start taking Lacto-baccillus. An over the counter, but have to ask for it, medication that re-colonizes your intestines. Ask for it in the hospital, it won't be offered. Be sure and talk to your infecteous disease doctor, as well as the surgeon. He will be the one to coordinate your long term care and can help make you more comfortable for the next months. C.diff. (intestinal infection) is a possibility, as is thrush and fungus infections "down under". Now that I've sufficiently depressed you (I didn't want you going into this blind. I'm truely sorry if you're scared now, but we went into this with NO IDEA what to expect. You don't have a choice, but at least you can be prepared), the good news is that, after the initial surgical pain, you will feel MUCH better. After about a week your pain will really start to subside and if you can stay on top of the side affects of the medications, you'll rebound fast. When they put you on the IV stuff, ask if you can do it 2ce a day, rather than 3 times (if they don't offer). It may be an option and its amazing the difference it makes in your life. Drink TONS of water to keep down the toxicity levels from the drugs. Eat lots of yogurt. I know you're scared. They gave you time to get scared, but also to get ready. (we had about an hour and no warning...). But do everything they tell you. Its SOOO important. Bone infections are very hard to treat and take a long time. Just the cold, hard truth. Taking the rods out is a must. The metal attracts infection and is almost impossible to remove. Ask for your cultured results from the surgery, so you will be informed of EXACTLY what the bacteria is and can research it. Some react better to the drugs than others, and since you've most likely had numerous UTI's you may be somewhat resistant. BE SURE to mention this to your Infecteous Disease doctor. It should be obvious to him, but you know that goes. Best of luck to you, Solar. Post me back if you need to or email me.

01-31-2005, 01:23 PM	#7
solarscar69 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 383	Thanks for the words beebee, i appreciate them very much! I just suspect that when i have the surgery i will have some of the same type of pain going on. After my first surgery, i was in the ICU for two weeks, came down with pnumonia, had to be intubated. After i was home i had the most intense shocking backpain ever! and i really dread being in those situations again. Its just hard to imagine that having my back cut open, muscles pulled to the side, and after taking out the rods and screws, i'll have holes in my vertabra. I can't imaging not being in intense pain from that. This doctor must think surgery is a piece of cake, maybe for him, but for me i really don't look forward to it. I have a sit down job at work. How long would you imagine it would be before i could go back to work? I also had two laminectomies done on the first surgery. I wonder if that caused more pain than not having had that done? I cannot even imagine what its going to feel like after having these out. I bet its going to be strange. Thanks so much ********************************* - I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up. - Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. - Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

01-31-2005, 01:47 PM	#8
BeeBee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 991	My son didn't have his rods removed at the time of the infection, instead, they sent him home with a failed fussion and had them replaced 6 weeks later, so 2 surgeries, instead of one. But if I put the two together, I would think you'll be in REALLY bad shape for about 4 days, BAD shape up to seven, and then start some pretty rapid recovery. Remember that the source of the pain will be gone: infection and rod failure. Yes, the surgery will hurt, you know that, but its finally a chance to start healing. A "sit down" job? If you're determined, otherwise healthy, and follow orders, I'd say three weeks. Do your breathing exercises religiously in the hospital. The drugs will surpress your breathing, so you have make yourself breathe. EAT. EAT. EAT. Again, hard, no appetite. High protein, high carbs. We got the same attitude going it. So when it was all over (infection surgery, not rod replacement)we were shocked at the long term care required. Also, remember to ask for valium right after. REALLY helps with the muscle spasms caused by the surgical trauma. Don't go home without it. And remember, when it gets bad right after, that there is a light at the end and you will feel much better.

01-31-2005, 02:17 PM	#9
solarscar69 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 383	How do they do the IV antibiotics? I am sure its through a PICC line, but would i have to go to the hospital 2-3 times a day to do this? Thats seems like a chore. ********************************* - I am a bomb technition, if you see me running try to keep up. - Dont argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. - Some peeps are only alive because its illegal to kill them.

01-31-2005, 05:00 PM	#10
BeeBee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 991	For my son, a nurse came to the house to do it. I know they teach some people (with out the same insurance coverage) how to do it themselves, or their caregivers, I suppose. Personally, I think that's a little scary. Regular IV's are one thing, but a PICC line is so vunerable. They used a pump, called the infuser that could be used in any position, not just hanging from above. Took about 30 minutes total each dose. Kevin said it really hurt putting the line in, but after that it was painless and taking it out didn't hurt. Changing the dressing is skin-painfull.