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What Are The Symptoms Of A Bone Infection?
Recently I had a ingrown toenail that was removed on my right big toe, and the toe has been red but with no other symptoms for about 3 weeks now, but I have had no other symptoms; however, an MRI scan was interpreted by my podiatrist that I had a bone infection (cellulitis) on the tip of my big toe bone. I now have been taking antibiotics for about a month, about 10 days of keflex with a 5 day break, 10 days of cipro, and 3 days break before another 10 days of cipro. Am now taking a 10 day round of both clindamycin and bactrum to treat it. Thing is, blood work I had 5 days ago when I got started taking my clindamycin and bactrum now shows that I have no signs of infection in my blood, from CBC to my C-Protein. The redness is not gone and will turn dark red before going back to a lighter shade when i move my toe around like when I am walking, but I have no other symptoms whatsoever, and I feel totally normal head to toe. I would be appreciated if a few of you could take the time to give me your medical opinion. Do I really have a bone infection?
Wed, 5 Sep 2018
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with a bone infection. I can understand your question as the treatment for a bone infection takes a long time, often for at least six weeks. If the MRI showed signs of infection and other markers like C-reactive protein were high, you could presume there was a bone infection.
If they did a blood culture that grew a bacteria, or did a bone biopsy that showed infection, that would support the diagnosis, but is not absolutely necessary. Even though all your blood work looks good now, and you don't have any symptoms, I would encourage you to finish the treatment your doctor has started until complete, since it takes a long time to clear an infection in the bone, and it may seem like you're healed but if you stop antibiotics early the infection may come back.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch
I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with a bone infection. I can understand your question as the treatment for a bone infection takes a long time, often for at least six weeks. If the MRI showed signs of infection and other markers like C-reactive protein were high, you could presume there was a bone infection.
If they did a blood culture that grew a bacteria, or did a bone biopsy that showed infection, that would support the diagnosis, but is not absolutely necessary. Even though all your blood work looks good now, and you don't have any symptoms, I would encourage you to finish the treatment your doctor has started until complete, since it takes a long time to clear an infection in the bone, and it may seem like you're healed but if you stop antibiotics early the infection may come back.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch
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