When should a limb be amputated?
I’ve had a problem with one of my fingers since I was very young. It used to just flare up one or twice a year but now it is always flaring up. When it gets swollen the pus is green, but even when it’s not actively swollen it is often leaking a whitey/creamy coloured liquid.
I was sent for an x Ray to see whether or not any infection has spread to the bone and the x Ray came back clear and it said there were no signs of infection in the bone so they said I should be fine and didn’t mention having it amputated. They also didn’t want to prescribe anymore antibiotics for it because it will make them ineffective, i have already had them at about three times this year.
Despite having an x Ray which they say didn’t show signs that it has gone to the bone I am still concerned. It’s not normal to be flaring up so much, and even leaking the cream coloured fluid in between flaring up, which is when it gets swollen, red and painful.
I don’t know whether or not I should elect to have it amputated or not. I’ve tried researching online and what I found seemed to suggest that an infection in a finger cant spread beyond the area where the problem is but I’m a bit nervous that leaving it as it is could be bad.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I was sent for an x Ray to see whether or not any infection has spread to the bone and the x Ray came back clear and it said there were no signs of infection in the bone so they said I should be fine and didn’t mention having it amputated. They also didn’t want to prescribe anymore antibiotics for it because it will make them ineffective, i have already had them at about three times this year.
Despite having an x Ray which they say didn’t show signs that it has gone to the bone I am still concerned. It’s not normal to be flaring up so much, and even leaking the cream coloured fluid in between flaring up, which is when it gets swollen, red and painful.
I don’t know whether or not I should elect to have it amputated or not. I’ve tried researching online and what I found seemed to suggest that an infection in a finger cant spread beyond the area where the problem is but I’m a bit nervous that leaving it as it is could be bad.
Does anyone have any ideas?
My concern is that the infection might eventually spread which is why I’m so concerned about it, that it will suddenly get bad and I’d have to have my hole hand chopped off for example, is this possible? Do you know what the cream coloured liquid is and is this leakage of any concern?
Might I please ask if it is generally advised to keep something that is constantly leaking green and creamy fluid/pus and in your experience is it correct that an infection in a finger can’t spread beyond the problem area, which is what I read on another website?
Ok thank you very much for the responses that you have given me.
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve had a problem with one of my fingers since I was very young. It used to just flare up one or twice a year but now it is always flaring up. When it gets swollen the pus is green, but even when it’s not actively swollen it is often leaking a whitey/creamy coloured liquid.
I was sent for an x Ray to see whether or not any infection has spread to the bone and the x Ray came back clear and it said there were no signs of infection in the bone so they said I should be fine and didn’t mention having it amputated. They also didn’t want to prescribe anymore antibiotics for it because it will make them ineffective, i have already had them at about three times this year.
Despite having an x Ray which they say didn’t show signs that it has gone to the bone I am still concerned. It’s not normal to be flaring up so much, and even leaking the cream coloured fluid in between flaring up, which is when it gets swollen, red and painful.
I don’t know whether or not I should elect to have it amputated or not. I’ve tried researching online and what I found seemed to suggest that an infection in a finger cant spread beyond the area where the problem is but I’m a bit nervous that leaving it as it is could be bad.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I was sent for an x Ray to see whether or not any infection has spread to the bone and the x Ray came back clear and it said there were no signs of infection in the bone so they said I should be fine and didn’t mention having it amputated. They also didn’t want to prescribe anymore antibiotics for it because it will make them ineffective, i have already had them at about three times this year.
Despite having an x Ray which they say didn’t show signs that it has gone to the bone I am still concerned. It’s not normal to be flaring up so much, and even leaking the cream coloured fluid in between flaring up, which is when it gets swollen, red and painful.
I don’t know whether or not I should elect to have it amputated or not. I’ve tried researching online and what I found seemed to suggest that an infection in a finger cant spread beyond the area where the problem is but I’m a bit nervous that leaving it as it is could be bad.
Does anyone have any ideas?
An X-Ray is not the best scan to exclude a bone infection. An MRI would be more accurate. If you are worried, go back to your GP - ask to be referred to a specialist or to tell them why they don't think this is an infection when you have those symptoms.
From a Diagnostic radiographers point of view; I couldn’t see an amputation of the finger happening if your medical scans/x rays showed a healthy bone and didn’t show signs of severe osteomyelitis. I think you may have some form of bacterial infection (although, I’m not qualified to give you an official diagnosis) and you should get this checked out by the GP.
(edited 4 years ago)
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