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Fungal toes - denied hip op?

Posted , 11 users are following.

haj5
haj5

Hello Hip-Op Forum

I'm writing on behalf of my Mum.

You were so kind the last time I posted as Mum was trying to work out how to organise her house to support her hip op many months ago but sadly she's postponed her hip op several times now because of the house but now the surgeon has said that he won't operate because she has fungus on her toes.

Ironically, so do I and, when I did a show and tell - mine are worse than hers - but it seems that having fungal toes is a no-no as far as the hip op is concerned for the surgeon she's been assigned to.

Mum is confused and so am I about the risks involved with having a hip op when you have fungal toes.  

I encouraged her to get her GP to refer her to a podiatrist - and they removed the fungal toe completely but meantime - it spread to her two little toes and now to her other big toe - no other toes are affect.

The toes infectect are just thick - and although she's been applying treatment to them, filing them down before hand applying sterialising solution, then nail cure - because they've grown so thick - she needs them filed down so the treatment can take hold.

So she's gone back to the GP - been referred to another podiatrist and is now on a regular treatment plan to file the nails down and apply the treatment.  She's been told it will take up to two years for it to work.

Meantime, because she's been told by her podiatrist and the GP that the surgeon won't operation because she has fungacidal toes.

As toes take years to grow out - and she really does need this op now - does she really have to wait for years until this is cured before having the op?

Or is this just a case of surgeons aring on the side of caution?

With such an amazing forum of hip-opers on here - I wonder - would you mind sharing your fungal toes stories?

Thank you so much.

Or,

 

4 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • marilyn_92910
    marilyn_92910 haj5

    Posted

    I should think the reason the surgeon is refusing to do the op is because with any fungal related illness it can be contagious and could easily infect the scar, I had to have my diabetes under control otherwise they wouldn't do the op on me I had my op on 11th may I see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow up and hopefully he will look at doing my other hip
  • Guest
    Guest haj5

    Posted

    Sorry I don't have any.
    • haj5
      haj5 Guest

      Posted

      Thanks gillcat for responding - lucky you!!

       

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 haj5

    Posted

    I think it is because there is a risk of the infection getting into the  the operation site and causing the implant to become infected and need to be removed
    • haj5
      haj5 maggie93798

      Posted

      Thanks maggie93798

      I'll investigate this further - thanks for the heads up!

       

  • Pansycat52
    Pansycat52 haj5

    Posted

    Hi there

    My chiropodist does laser treatment for fungal toe nail

    My husband suffered with it - his toe nails were like horses hooves they were so thick

    You might want to make some enquiries as this is the up to date way of dealing with it

    Kind wishes Linda

    • haj5
      haj5 Pansycat52

      Posted

      Thank you pansycat52 - I had no idea that laser treatment could be done for fungal toes and will certainly be googling that - thank you!!

       

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France haj5

      Posted

      Isn't this the most awesome Forum?

      who knew, laser treatment for fungal toenails.

      boy I hope I never catch that fungus, they had to actually amputate her toe?

  • jenniferLouise
    jenniferLouise haj5

    Posted

    Hello there, so sorry to hear that your Mums op has been delayed again.  This has got me really worried now as I am due for my op late September and I have fungal toe nails on both feet.  I've had them for years and have tried several remedies, none of which have worked.  I'm going to phone my surgeons secretary in the morning to ask about this.  Yours is the first post I've seen on this forum about fungal toenails.  Has any other Hippy had a similar experience?
    • haj5
      haj5 jenniferLouise

      Posted

      Hi JenniferLouise - I'm sorry if I've got you worried about this.  I'm getting the feeling from research on google that it is not a worry if you have normal fungal toes as it seems so prevalent with everyone at some point or other - unless you've been treated beause the toe has become infected as well for some other reason and anitbiotics prescribed - nurses have shared that fungal toes on their own don't seem to pose a problem for many - but that's why I asked on this forum - sorry again to worry you and hopefully they'll share something with you that will put my Mum's mind at rest too.

       

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise haj5

      Posted

      Hello again.  Just to let you, and any other pre op Hippy know, I saw my doctor this morning, luckily I already had an appointment booked.  He said that fungal infection of the toe nails which results in thickening of the nail and crumbling around the tip, will NOT stop the THR op.  It's only when the infection on the foot or toes is weeping and very sore. Similarly, if you  had an abscess in the gum, this could delay surgery.  If there is already infection in the body then surgeons won't take the risk.  Hope this helps others.  I also asked him about flying and he said if all goes well, then 4-6 weeks post op should be fine.  I will ask the surgeon just to make sure but it looks as if I may well be able to go away for Christmas.  Hope all goes well for your Mum.  Take care of her, you only get one Mum. Jx
    • haj5
      haj5 jenniferLouise

      Posted

      Thank you so much for asking about that from doctor jenniferLouise that's great news. And good news that you will be able to go away for Christmas.  All the best to you and hope you have a trouble-free hip-op and post-recovery period. haj 

       

  • dot60135
    dot60135 haj5

    Posted

    Hi haj5, this is a difficult situation as your mum needs the op but the risks of her not surviving are high. Patients who are admitted following emergencies such as road traffic accidents have on occassion had fungal infections, if their injuries are life threatening the op goes ahead. The problem is that the fungus can be found on other parts of the body, protected by intact skin it is irritatind but if it becomes systemic can lead to septicemia and lead to death.

    I would speak to your GP again and ask if she can be given a body scrub to help eradicate the risk, instructions will have to be followed to the word and could irritate her skin. If your mum has other medical conditions, this option may not be available.

    Hope you are able to get this sorted out for both you and your mum, Dot.

    • haj5
      haj5 dot60135

      Posted

      Hi dot60135

      This is what is worrying me and how it is that they can tract whether fungus is in other parts of the body and so may cause her to be at risk.

      My podiatrist told me that because I have fungus on my toes it's elsewhere on my body - and that I need to get my body under control but there are no tests for this type of fungal infection "of the body".

      But also said - most fungal infections are minor and on the skin only and rarely unless someone has immune deficiency disorders is this a  concern but I could be very wrong - but thank you for the heads up on how serious such an innocent condition could be for hip-ops.

       

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