Infected Elbow.

christopher · 02-21-2005, 09:37 AM

So, I woke up this morning and my elbow is swollen up like a baseball.

It's from an open sore that I thought I had under control but, my elbow is obviously telling me differently. I'm going to the ER this afternoon because it's closer than my doctor and I don't want to wait for an appointment, only to watch my whole arm swell up like a balloon.

Could one of the SCI nurses quickly describe the proper procedure for getting this thing fixed? It's happened before in rehab but I'd like a refresher so I can go in there and tell the nurse/ doctor what should be done. From what I remember,

1) It should be drained.
2) Inject some sort of medicine to kill off the infection.
3) Bandage it up real good.
4) Take 'Halloween' antibiotics (black and orange pills) for 10 days.
5) STOP LEANING ON THE STUPID THING!!!

Any other things I forgot? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.

Emi2 · 02-21-2005, 10:02 AM

i had this exact same thing happen a few years ago, and did what you described and it cleared right up.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon

Dave H · 02-21-2005, 11:20 AM

It depends on the infection. If it is cellulitis which it may be, then it is best to leave it up to the doctor to diagnose and treat. If it is some kind of pressure sore than it may just need some air and extra rest like you suggested. You should also let your primary care physician and physiatrist know about it so that they can keep that in mind the next time they have to treat you.

After seeing the doctor why don't you post again and clue us in to what happened?

Dave H

[This message was edited by Dave H on 02-21-05 at 02:29 PM.]

christopher · 02-21-2005, 03:32 PM

Well, I'm back.

I don't think it was infected. The doctor drained it (about 30 mls of clearish yellow liquid), prescribed me some antibiotics and told me to come back if I started getting feverish. I'd go see my GP, but it's a real pain in the butt. Since emergency's only 4 blocks away, and six inches of fresh uncleared snow on the ground, it's way easier to just show up. Lots of med students. I was the assisting student's first patient ever! It sure is depressing in the waiting room though. Yikes! Full of crotchety old people. Three nurses commented on how nice I was!

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.

Sue Pendleton · 02-25-2005, 10:23 AM

You can also find some terry cloth slide on elbow pads with extra padding right where we put all our weight. Check the online sites. Once you heal up these work great even if you just use them at night to cover up any creams you put on them to keep the skin soft. You can also get matching heel protectors.

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."

02-21-2005, 09:37 AM	#1
christopher Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,864	Infected Elbow. So, I woke up this morning and my elbow is swollen up like a baseball. It's from an open sore that I thought I had under control but, my elbow is obviously telling me differently. I'm going to the ER this afternoon because it's closer than my doctor and I don't want to wait for an appointment, only to watch my whole arm swell up like a balloon. Could one of the SCI nurses quickly describe the proper procedure for getting this thing fixed? It's happened before in rehab but I'd like a refresher so I can go in there and tell the nurse/ doctor what should be done. From what I remember, 1) It should be drained. 2) Inject some sort of medicine to kill off the infection. 3) Bandage it up real good. 4) Take 'Halloween' antibiotics (black and orange pills) for 10 days. 5) STOP LEANING ON THE STUPID THING!!! Any other things I forgot? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.

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02-21-2005, 10:02 AM	#2
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	i had this exact same thing happen a few years ago, and did what you described and it cleared right up. "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow" ~ Anon

02-21-2005, 11:20 AM	#3
Dave H Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 146	It depends on the infection. If it is cellulitis which it may be, then it is best to leave it up to the doctor to diagnose and treat. If it is some kind of pressure sore than it may just need some air and extra rest like you suggested. You should also let your primary care physician and physiatrist know about it so that they can keep that in mind the next time they have to treat you. After seeing the doctor why don't you post again and clue us in to what happened? Dave H [This message was edited by Dave H on 02-21-05 at 02:29 PM.]

02-21-2005, 03:32 PM	#4
christopher Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,864	Well, I'm back. I don't think it was infected. The doctor drained it (about 30 mls of clearish yellow liquid), prescribed me some antibiotics and told me to come back if I started getting feverish. I'd go see my GP, but it's a real pain in the butt. Since emergency's only 4 blocks away, and six inches of fresh uncleared snow on the ground, it's way easier to just show up. Lots of med students. I was the assisting student's first patient ever! It sure is depressing in the waiting room though. Yikes! Full of crotchety old people. Three nurses commented on how nice I was! Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.

02-25-2005, 10:23 AM	#5
Sue Pendleton Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wisconsin USA Posts: 9,114	You can also find some terry cloth slide on elbow pads with extra padding right where we put all our weight. Check the online sites. Once you heal up these work great even if you just use them at night to cover up any creams you put on them to keep the skin soft. You can also get matching heel protectors. Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."