What Could Cause Increasing Pain To The Surgical Site After Multiple Surgeries To My Lumbar Area?
Question: hello, I have a question regarding a surgical site. I have had multiple surgeries to my lumbar area XXXXXXX to a SSI with mycobacterium bolletti. over the past few days I have been having increasing pain to the surgical site. if I palpate the right side of my incision, i can feel crackling under the skin. I have no fever but have been having chills. I was hospitalized over Easter weekend but no interventions were performed after the MRI findings. this crackling like i said is new over the past few days. I will attach a picture of the area. I have put a call out to my surgeon but it is difficult getting a timely response from them. should I just head to a free standing ER or wait for a call back?
Brief Answer:
infection underlying surgical site.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your query thoroughly.
* The issue seems to be due to an infection of the underlying the surgical site as there is increasing
pain, chills along with crackling under the skin.
* Though primary pain relief can be obtained with the analgesic tablets, I'd still recommend
to visit free-standing ER and get the condition evaluated precisely with an
Ultrasound or MRI as per the consultant's evaluation and get curative treatment
at earliest before the condition worsens.
You're most Welcome to further doubts along with the photograph of the affected site.
Wish you a fast recovery.
Regards.
infection underlying surgical site.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your query thoroughly.
* The issue seems to be due to an infection of the underlying the surgical site as there is increasing
pain, chills along with crackling under the skin.
* Though primary pain relief can be obtained with the analgesic tablets, I'd still recommend
to visit free-standing ER and get the condition evaluated precisely with an
Ultrasound or MRI as per the consultant's evaluation and get curative treatment
at earliest before the condition worsens.
You're most Welcome to further doubts along with the photograph of the affected site.
Wish you a fast recovery.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I don't believe the images attached. I am going to try again to send pictures of the site and MRI results I had a few weeks ago.
Brief Answer:
follow up .
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the images which are showing surgical site very clearly in both of them.
( there is no MRI report till now )
* As per the image, it clearly suggest underlying infection due to overlying redness
and co relation of narrated symptoms.
* Current recommendations at present
- Keep the part clean with antiseptic liquid, dry.
- Apply Polymycin powder as broad spectrum coverage of possible causative
organisms.
- Get a prescription of antibiotic and anti inflammatory medicine with your GP
till the condition is reviewed by your surgeon.
- Wear loose, cotton clothes.
- Avoid sudden bending, weight lifting at present.
Welcome for further doubts.
Take care.
follow up .
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the images which are showing surgical site very clearly in both of them.
( there is no MRI report till now )
* As per the image, it clearly suggest underlying infection due to overlying redness
and co relation of narrated symptoms.
* Current recommendations at present
- Keep the part clean with antiseptic liquid, dry.
- Apply Polymycin powder as broad spectrum coverage of possible causative
organisms.
- Get a prescription of antibiotic and anti inflammatory medicine with your GP
till the condition is reviewed by your surgeon.
- Wear loose, cotton clothes.
- Avoid sudden bending, weight lifting at present.
Welcome for further doubts.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I have attached the MRI report. are you able to explain what the tarlov cysts and perineural cysts are? previous MRI has shown sacral ones. I had an MRI in January and the cysts at l3 to l4 were not present then. this is a new findings. how significant are these ?
Brief Answer:
follow up .
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the MRI report.
* As per the evaluation of MRI report, it shows tarlov cyst which is fluid collection
in and around spinal nerve roots, which is L4-L5 in your case.
Perineural cysts are also the fluid pockets around the spinal vertebrae only.
* As this is new showing up, it suggests post inflammatory changes over the
operative site or body`s immune response to certain changes.
* Many of them remain asymptomatic, in some cases it may give compression
symptoms as buttock pain, sciatica, difficult sitting for long periods, altered
sensation, reflexes, altered bowel movements in varying percentage.
* In our clinic, we recommend
vigilant control of infection component,
regular MRI evaluation of the cysts progress with time intervals.
Hope this information will help you to understand the issue better.
Take care.
follow up .
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the MRI report.
* As per the evaluation of MRI report, it shows tarlov cyst which is fluid collection
in and around spinal nerve roots, which is L4-L5 in your case.
Perineural cysts are also the fluid pockets around the spinal vertebrae only.
* As this is new showing up, it suggests post inflammatory changes over the
operative site or body`s immune response to certain changes.
* Many of them remain asymptomatic, in some cases it may give compression
symptoms as buttock pain, sciatica, difficult sitting for long periods, altered
sensation, reflexes, altered bowel movements in varying percentage.
* In our clinic, we recommend
vigilant control of infection component,
regular MRI evaluation of the cysts progress with time intervals.
Hope this information will help you to understand the issue better.
Take care.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D