Suggest Treatment For Wounds On Legs When Diagnosed With MRSA

Posted on Wed, 9 Dec 2015

Question: I have just been diagnosed with MRSA for the third time in about a year. Diagnosis has been confirmed in the laboratory. It has appeared in leg wounds that I still have one year after radical knee surgery that included skin grafts. I was prescribed a two week treatment with doxycycline 100 mg capsules twice daily for two weeks. My problem is that all previous treatments have failed, and I can't find this medicine in any of the literature as being effective for treating MRSA. Will doxycycline be effective this time? I am worried since five years ago my foot on the opposite leg had to be amputated due to a different staph infection, ostiomylitis. Thanks for any advice in proceeding with this treatment.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Linezolid better

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

Usually Doxycycline isn't prescribed for MRSA but Linezolid is. This is a better antibiotic.

I would advise to get your wound tested for Culture and Sensitivity to find exactly which antibiotics the MRSA is sensitive to. First all antibiotics need to be stopped. Then after 2 days without antibiotics, the swab needs to be taken and tested.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

How do you recommend I approach my doctor on this? I know they are doing the sensitivity culture, but don't know when it will be ready. I am very tired of taking constant antibiotics without knowing if one is better than another. There is one I can't take, Cipro almost always causes diarrhea. I've already lost a foot to infections, and this round of 16 surgeries on the knee quadrapecs have left me with a frozen knee and ankle on my remaining leg. I can barely walk since my only balance now is provided by the prosthetic. I can't imagine two prosthetics at my age if the infection continues. The doctors involved can only say, we did all we could do. However, why in the hell can't I get successful treatment for an infection that I undoubtedly picked up in the hospital. Please give me a glimmer of hope by recommending something that works. I haven't walked now without assistance for almost two years.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (29 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs strict physiotherapy. Kindly discuss the prognosis if the treatment w

Detailed Answer:
Kindly get an Xray done to confirm osteomyelitis of this leg as well. The region can be debrideded surgically to remove the infection and dead infected bone sequestrum can be removed which can reduce the infective load and promote cure. Strict Physiotherapy needed to move the right quadriceps. You may be having a low immunity which is why you are having constant infections.

Eat a healthy balanced diet. Keep well hydrated. Hey enough sleep. Lets take it step by step and not jump into conclusions. Kindly discuss about the prognosis of this infection with your Doctor and then suggest the use of this medicine and any other treatment if possible.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (14 hours later)

Thanks for the quick and thorough follow-up. I have a follow-up appointment with the wound care doctor on 11/30/15 and I will definitely discuss the antibiotics with her. I'm familiar with the osteomyelitis exam and the last time I had it, it required surgery. I will have to think about the pros and cons of having that procedure.

I'm hope to have the resolved as soon as possible. Can I write you again after my visit with the wound care doctor on the 30th? I will also be discussing the biopsy with my personal physician. Thanks for your professional review of the status of my recovery.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes. Please do follow up regarding your progress

Detailed Answer:
Yes. Please do follow up with me on your progress and feel free to contact me at anytime.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj