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Leaking holes in scar from spinal fusion

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Streety78
Streety78

Good afternoon and thank you for reading my name is Mark and I'm 37, I am 3 years post op from a dynamic spinal Fusion On multi levels ending on L5 S1 over the past 2 years I have developed a red swelling on one of my scars and it first started looking like a large red swollen hot to the touch extremely painful area, then turned into something like a boil within the tissue the boils have now developed into two holes within the scar. They are approximately 1 centimetre in the circumference and approx 3 centimetres apart from centre to centre. The holes themselves are extremely painful and inverted from the rest of my back by approximately 3 centimetres the holes themselves either leaking pus to the point of having to change the specialist bandage 2 times a day. over the past week the leaking has now turned to blood the nurse believes she has seen this before and it is the metal work from my spinal fusion working their way out trying to find out if anybody else has had anything similar or even had the metal work become loose and penetrate the skin thank you for reading and I hope this finds you well. I have photos if anybody needs to see them to check if it's like they had but haven't posted them up.

Regards

Mark

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 Streety78

    Posted

    Streety78,

    I would definitely make an appointment, that doesn't sound to good, I had an infection after my fusion L5 S1 a few months after to find out it was a staph infection and it was eating away my muscles in my back, had to go back in for another operation to open the back back up and pack it and leave it open until the infection was gone, I urge u to go and get it looked at. I had a pic line and meds going straight into my heart, it was the most miserable time of all the surgeries.

    Pls take care and keep us informed when you find out.

    Cindy

  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 Streety78

    Posted

    PS

    Does it look like a dark syrupy type?

    • Streety78
      Streety78 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Cynthia Thank you for your reply the pus what what I would call normal I. E. Spot style the blood was a black thick type but now is fresh. I've just pushed my GP for a staph and mrsa test on the swab they took today. So I will keep you all informed and thank you for taking the time to respond. I hope what I've written makes sense and answers your question xx Take care

      Mark

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark,

      Yes it did make sense n I hope the best outcome for you, please let us know.

      Cindy

  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 Streety78

    Posted

    Hi mark,

    I was wondering how you are doing and how you're feeling? And any word from gp on staph or mrsa?

    Pls keep me updated was thinking of you today

    Cindy xx

    • Streety78
      Streety78 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Thank you Cindy. Went and had my dressing changed and swabbed for staph and beleive it or not MRSA as the holes look scarily simular by asking several people without telling what is what. Pain is getting unbearable tbh and really struggling. The nurse who changes the dressing said she still thinks it's the metal work coming out of my skin. Will Definatly know soon MRI Tuesday well additional images as got called back. I promise to update just didn't want to update daily as would be silly. Thank you for caring. Will keep you informed how I get on tomorrow. Thanks again. Would love to keep in touch with you
    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark,

      I was just thinking of you when you said the leaking cause I had the same and I can remember the pain, I wish you the best tomorrow and I will hope for the best.

      Keep in touch cindy

  • Streety78
    Streety78

    Posted

    I'm due to see my surgeon on Thursday next week but my pain management Dr got the results of my MRI and it appears the soft tissue under my skin has been pushing against loss the metalwork and has started to destroy the tissues inside. I then pushed for an answer to what he believes it may be without holding him to anything and he believes it may be 1 of 2 things 1. Is an infection on the metalwork 2. An infection in my bone.

    Either way I'm interested to hear from anyone who has experienced either as I'm honestly crapping myself as I don't know what to expect. This has been going on since my op and hopefully I'm soon to get an answer so please if you've had either please get on touch.

    Keep well and I hope this finds you well.

    Mark

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark

      Did you ask them to test you for staph infection? I did tell u that's what happened to me. I wish you all the luck.

      Cindy

    • Streety78
      Streety78 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Cynthia.

      I did and I don't have a staph infection on my back but I do in my ears yes both.

      They only swabbed around the holes which I'm currently arguing. The swabs returned something called diphtheroids which are normal on the skin, however several websites conflict with their info about if they enter the wound. The reason I believe they have entered the wound is from the descriptions given of the leaking fluid. I will keep you posted Cynthia and thank you..... I do hope your well.

      Mark

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Thanks Mark,

      Doing not so great here either, damn spinal cord stimulator. I knew in my heart it wouldn't work, and I did it and it is making me so down, they can't find a happy medium for me, and I'm so tired of it...and the yell at you, if you can't be fix can force it. I hope you get your answers and I hope I get relief, keep in touch your friend

      Cindy

    • ellen82139
      ellen82139 Streety78

      Posted

      Hi hope you soon get it all sorted

      did you have Mrsa  screen preoperatively,as should have

      have you got a very high temperature,as that normally goes hand in hand with infection

    • Streety78
      Streety78 ellen82139

      Posted

      Ellen

      With regards the Mrsa screen I have no idea. Temperature wise yes it's on average 1 to 2 degrees higher than what it should be. Constants sweats etc hot to the touch around said area when we searched MRSA did come into the frame as the holes look very simular. Fingers crossed hopefully not long now till the lengthy process of sorting it out starts.

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark,

      Staph is mrsa I had it and you saying all the symptoms of it, I hate to say it. Mrsa is the name the call it later after treatment, I had to have a pic line into my arm to my heart , had surgery to get all infection cleared away and leave a hole open in my back , nurses came to pack and in pack hole and I had to learn to give my self shots. I hope for the best.

      Cause if you do have it you have to tell drs before any operations so they check you.

      Good luck Cindy

    • Streety78
      Streety78 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Cindy

      Got back from seeing surgeon. I've been placed on urgent list for an op in 2-3 weeks time. To take out all infection and possibly remove the metalwork. Then the Venus line etc and left open for 2-3 weeks to wash out any traces of virus.... the did mention very quickly about my staph infection and that (I quote) it may be the big brother of staph infection that I have and then carried on talking. Then took 3 swab tests with the old long earbuds lol. Thank you for all your kind words and support it has helped unimaginablely and I'm just glad that after these years of fighting knowing something wasn't right they finally listened.

      Thanks again to you.

      Please keep me posted on your continued battles as if I can help you I will xxxxxxx. Mark

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark,

      I am so happy that they finally listened to you, and I know its a minor set back for you but thank God they found what was wrong, when I said leakage I said ut oh cause the same thing happened to me with the fusion, and it was scary as hell, I just honestly think I'm broken for life, that there is nothing that's gonna stop my pain, but as for you make sure you keep me updated on all that happens and I will be here for you if you need to vent, bitch or just talk, take care and pls keep me updated, xo Cindy

      If I don't hear from you just know I am thinking of you and wishing you the best and fast recovery, you are not alone!! Cindy

    • Streety78
      Streety78 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Cindy thankyou so much I promise to let you know all info as and when arrives you have been so great I would love to swap email addresses if you were up for that. I even thinking about setting up a blog of my experience from my first operation as there is no information around to help and if it wasn't for this website and you reaching out I would probably still be in the dark as I feel it was your suggestion about the swabs that finally made them listen to me.

      Once again thank you for all your heart felt assistance and care. Xxxxxxx please if there is anything I can do for you even to vent ext please contact me.

      Mark

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Streety78

      Posted

      Mark I tried to send you my email did you get it? I hope so let me know if not I will do it so you can get it lol

      Cindy

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