Infected hardware

[titaniumed]

Ok, I see...Even though the doctor in the link I posted mentions that implant infection happen in 2-14%, its still material we need to be aware of. If someone has implants, this is need to know information. Getting older means being aware of these sorts of things....Linda mentioned it and this doctor mentions that infection can happen many years later....

When you get done with surgery, WBC (White blood cell) count goes into attack mode, and you can feel this. Its so exhausting! I think that half of my weight loss in my recovery had to do with this, along with barely eating. Malnutrition is critical, without the nutrition, our bodies really struggle. Eating properly is important.

Its good that this has all cleared up....I still get jumpy with my 2nd molar infection frequency, I have had to take Amoxcicillan 3 times in the last year. It seems to be proof that either the infection at the roots of the tooth are still there, (Periodontitis) or I am having problems fighting this. I dont know if a doctor can really say your done with your infection if the last small percentage of it is still harboring some place. I dont know if blood work will be able to determine this. I hope you understand what I am saying here. I dont think that there is any solid proof in that many of us have small amounts of infection, and have that ability to keep these bacteria cultures or biofilm under control. It might explain me having problems with fatigue....

Another thing that bothers me is that headaches and pains are a warning that something is wrong. With a thousand reasons why? Can we really be running to the doctor everytime we have a headache? Its not easy wondering why these things happen, but we have to know what to ignore and what to follow up on. We have to know and feel our bodies after our surgeries, and also account for any other things that we have going on. For example your arachnoditis and my cervical stenosis. Diet, atmospheric pressure, and collapsing stock markets can really complicate matters. The coronavirus has me laying low lately and social activites have been on hold these days.

I have not talked to Susan. I thought you guys were in touch. Let us know when she responds. I wonder how her pain is, it seems that when we do serious scoliosis surgery, or surgeries, we get pretty good at handling pain. I would say she is a pro at it.

We as humans have this warning system called pain, and we have limited knowledge on what causes pain. If we were cars, we would all be blowing smoke and running rough...and the mileage...my odometer is broken. Oh well.....My gas gage still works.

Ed

[LindaRacine]

When you get done with surgery, WBC (White blood cell) count goes into attack mode, and you can feel this. Ed

I don't recall ever hearing this. Do you have a reference?

[titaniumed]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukocytosis
WBC count can be elevated by emotional stress let alone any surgical procedure. Other causes are listed below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophilia

I only found a single fusion study.....nothing on scoliosis surgery or long fusions. See Table 2 ( I have not looked that hard)

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and white blood cell (WBC) count are commonly used to identify postoperative wound infections.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642098/

There are some pretty good You Tube videos on CRP and WBC. The material is complex.

Ed

[LindaRacine]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukocytosis
WBC count can be elevated by emotional stress let alone any surgical procedure. Other causes are listed below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophilia

I only found a single fusion study.....nothing on scoliosis surgery or long fusions. See Table 2 ( I have not looked that hard)

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and white blood cell (WBC) count are commonly used to identify postoperative wound infections.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642098/

There are some pretty good You Tube videos on CRP and WBC. The material is complex.

Ed

I think we can all agree that there's a difference between MAY occur and WILL occur.

[jackieg412]

I haven't heard from Susan yet. I do email her on her personal email. I just keep praying she is OK. And going through that major surgery and now this epidemic. Let's hope she is home and safe.
Yes Ed do what you are doing to be careful in the area of your mouth that is under attack. Sometimes we think we are bullet proof after the major scoliosis surgery. We need to all take time in our healthcare.
My children( all adults) are on me to stay home. It is difficult for sure. I'm sure they are right.
I doubt the surgeon will proceed forward at this time with the scapulothorasic fusion. It probably is very risky to compromise my health to that extent.
Stay safe

[titaniumed]

Linda, Correct. And WBC count is not a 100% guarantee of diagnosing infection. Or at least in the elderly.....

Blood work is the first diagnostic thats used. Then it goes from there....(When you smell smoke, there "could" be a fire)

Jackie, One thing about shouder surgery is that its really hard to operate a phone. We all know this (Ha ha) I am sure she is ok.

Bullet proof? Not me. My signature states age 61, the new 61. Thats better than any CRP or WBC levels. (Today's medical humor)

For coronavirus, gargling often might be a good idea along with the frequent washing of hands. I use Dr Listers recipe. Its called Listerine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242593

I have a highway behind my home and I dont hear very many cars. I am also laying low and staying at home these days.....Got an invite to go snowmobiling, there is no coronavirus in the mountains, only avalanches. Its much safer......(smiley face)

Ed

[jackieg412]

This epidemic has indeed changed things. I wonder if patients getting ready for major spine surgery will have it postponed. That probably isn't a bad idea.
I would guess my scapulothorasic fusion will be put off until summer. First the wound and now a virus.
I guess it just helps us build up patience.
The streets are really quiet around me too.

[titaniumed]

Jackie, If you have appointments set up, you might want to be proactive and call them to see if they have made any changes in regards to coronavirus. It will be interesting to see how they handle things at hospitals in the future.

Some CDC links
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...revention.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...infection.html

Some virus killing technology tidbits for those interested

Ultraviolet light
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/...read-influenza

Hydrogen Peroxide robots, food delivery robots
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._138763889.htm

Ed

[jackieg412]

I have been having regular updates from my different doctors. Rush out out a update on the news that they were postponing all elective surgeries. It didn't say for his long but it makes sense because it keeps the patient well and also frees up the equipment, rooms and doctors for the I'll patient.
We are all in this together and should look out for everyone.

[LindaRacine]

Just got word that UCSF Spine has postponed all surgeries and clinic appointments. I suspect this will soon be the case for all non-essential surgeries around the world.

[titaniumed]

For those looking for current Coronavirus stats, this is a good site.

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Go upper right, click on 3 bars, select mobile version

Lower left, click data for active charts to show severity or acceleration of new cases

New cases have been increasing quite a bit.

Ed

[susancook]

[QUOTE=jackieg412;172556]I haven't heard from Susan yet. I do email her on her personal email. I just keep praying she is OK. And going through that major surgery and now this epidemic. Let's hope she is home and safe.
Yes Ed do what you are doing to be careful in the area of your mouth that is under attack. Sometimes we think we are bullet proof after the major scoliosis surgery. We need to all take time in our healthcare.

Jackie, Ed, and my fellow forum members,

I had my "reverse R shoulder replacement" done 3/11 right under the wire for elective surgeries. My typing usually sucks, but with one crippled wing it is suffering even more. Recovery is a challenge for the able bodied, for me with a T1 to sacrum fusion, 73 years old body, and T4,5 partial paraplegia doing ADLs is almost impossible. I weighed my options post-op for OT/PT and decided to got to a SNF w/ intensive rehab for a week from the hospital. Not much choice in facilities, so the one that I ended up going to was short on adequate pain support and noisy decreasing my sleep/rest. After 2 days, I checked out AMA and went home where my husband can help me. I do have home PT/OT coming and I will survive.... hopefully not get divorced after 48 years of marriage ;+} .

I am still looking at having my T1 pedicle screw [lucency and thoracic pain] and 1 of my 5 rods removed by Dr. Hart in Seattle maybe this summer. I looked into having a SCS implanted but am not sure about having that done. I have substantial Right L4,5 dermatone burning pain for which I wear Lidocaine patches.

So, 6 weeks in a right arm sling. It is what it is.

Susan

[titaniumed]

Susan, Glad everything is ok, thanks for posting...

It must be quite the challenge typing your posts....I hope the pain isnt too bad. (no response is necessary)

I think its better that you went home. Sometimes you have to lick your wounds at home alone. You remember I had the nurses and the PT people out at my house after my spine surgeries. The thing is, nobody came twice. It was always a different nurse or PT person. Go figure.... If you get somebody you like, you might want to beg that person to come back. I dont know how they do the scheduling. I used to leave my front door unlocked wondering who was next...It truly was open house.

On the coronavirus subject, France is enforcing now. You cant go outside without permission. You have to log in with a reason, or get fined.
https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2020/0...avirus-latest/

This is all so new and I want to say unexpected. (Even though viral attacks have been happening for thousands of years). Its almost hard to believe that its all come to a head, and we have been warned so many times.....Might I say zero foresight?

Hang in there Susan, things will get better soon.

Hang in there everyone

Ed

[jackieg412]

Good to hear from you susan. I'm sure you are better off at home. With this virus the fewer people you come in contact with the better.
You are right Ed, we didn't need the warning. Let's hope and pray for the best.

[susancook]

Thanks Jackie and Ed for your healing wishes. I continue to do well, probably more credit should be given to my experienced, fellowship trained ortho shoulder surgeon than anything that I have done. I read on line that many general ortho surgeons who do not specialize do 1 shoulder replacement a month. Dr. Thomas does 4-5 shoulder surgeries a week, 2-3 of them are full shoulder replacements.

Like many on the forum who have had revisions, I wonder whether a pain....like thoracic pain is related to my shoulder or spine problems.

In Oregon we are staying home to prevent viral shedding, so I am really laying low.

Susan