HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling In The Thighs

default
Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Question: I'm in a rehab and in such pain is can't think straight or get to a credit card. I had hip replacement surgery.last Monday ,a week and a half ago. I have the most incredible pain in both thighs. My thighs are swollen and I've. Been put on cipro for cellulitis. Should I be in a hospital. This facility focuses on physical therapy. It's hard to get help. I fall asleep briefly and wake up screaming in pain. Advice?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
cannot say in your particular case

Detailed Answer:
not actually being there. AND a post op surgical infection after putting hardware in is very very serious. If germs get into the hardware they might never be able to get back out. The area might never heal. the infection might not be able to be removed. Generally when there is the possibility of this the person is getting INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS. I've been in rehab facilities that are more capable of doing this than the area hospitals. So, there is a certain amount of diagnosis and treatment and visits from the doctor one would expect with a post op hip infection. This would be a visit from the doctor about every 2-3 days or more, intravenous antibiotics probably a scan or other way to look at the hip (once).

Then there is the pain managment issues. Generally people would be on narcotics after surgery. Some places get very crazy about giving them. If > 100 mg a day of morphine or oxycodone are being given, that implies both a surgical reason for hospitalization and a medical reason for hospitalizaiton so the narcotics can be given with being closely watched for signs of overdose from them.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (8 minutes later)
Thank you . I had a hip infection 5 yrs. ago fortunately I didn't lose the prosthesis but was on I V antibiotics for 6 weeks. I had surgery at HSS , the best, and am in XXXXXXX rehab -has a great reputation but I think they have to call a specialist.

Do u think I should continue to do the therapy, which is helming to strengthen my legs. What should I do ?

I was on oxycodond and fentanal. For years. I don't know what I would have done without them. I've had 8 major Ortho surgeries in past 12 years. I am crazed by the thought of an infection.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
there are several features in which

Detailed Answer:
you literally know more about it than I do.

Ok, you've seen an infected hip and know how that feels in you and can be a very good judge from this whether it is happening again. Informing the staff that you know what a hip infection feels like and for these particular shared characteristics you have concerns about that and contacting your PREVIOUS doctor who treated the previous hip infection (that presumably got better!) and letting him know about the situation.

Basically trying to repeat what worked in the past is a very good approach.

Frankly, we've always continued the therapy even when the joint was infected. It just isn't likely to agravate the infection (but wow can it aggravate pain!) AND it keeps the area XXXXXXX muscles active, prevents blood clots, prevents pneumonia, etc.

So, there are many reasons to keep active and not any dangers from it (but it can be quite painful).
Repeating what worked perhaps by getting all the same specialists involved.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling In The Thighs

Brief Answer: cannot say in your particular case Detailed Answer: not actually being there. AND a post op surgical infection after putting hardware in is very very serious. If germs get into the hardware they might never be able to get back out. The area might never heal. the infection might not be able to be removed. Generally when there is the possibility of this the person is getting INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS. I've been in rehab facilities that are more capable of doing this than the area hospitals. So, there is a certain amount of diagnosis and treatment and visits from the doctor one would expect with a post op hip infection. This would be a visit from the doctor about every 2-3 days or more, intravenous antibiotics probably a scan or other way to look at the hip (once). Then there is the pain managment issues. Generally people would be on narcotics after surgery. Some places get very crazy about giving them. If > 100 mg a day of morphine or oxycodone are being given, that implies both a surgical reason for hospitalization and a medical reason for hospitalizaiton so the narcotics can be given with being closely watched for signs of overdose from them.