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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Recurring Foot Infection. On Antibiotic. Not Getting Referral To Orthopedic Specialist. Recommendations?

I have a foot infection. Gout was ruled out with a blood test. I am on my third antibiotic. The way it goes is I take the medication for two weeks and it clears up the issue (95%). Then I have a relapse. After the third flareup my doctor's office can't seem to get a referral in to an orthopedic specialist without a three week delay. I don't understand. Isn't a recurring foot infection sufficient to warrant an immediate evaluation? My GP doesn't do aspirations. Should I be stomping my good foot at the doctor's office to get timely care?
Mon, 1 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi and thanks for the query,

An in depth exploration might be very useful to understand why you have the recurrent foot infections. Predisposing factors like Diabetes and a resistant strain of a germ that might no be sensitive to the drugs prescribed are mandatory under these circumstances.

Screening for diabetes should be done. A sample of the fluid or pus from the foot should be sent to two different biology laboratories for cultures and anti biotic sensitivity testing. A proper clinical evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is useful in this case to identify and pus pockets if any, and removal of any predisposing anatomical structures to develop these infections.

I suggest you book an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, or while waiting the proposed investigations done. Thanks and hope this helps as I wish you the best of health. Thanks and wishing you the best of health. Kind regards.

Bain LE, MD.
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Have Recurring Foot Infection. On Antibiotic. Not Getting Referral To Orthopedic Specialist. Recommendations?

Hi and thanks for the query, An in depth exploration might be very useful to understand why you have the recurrent foot infections. Predisposing factors like Diabetes and a resistant strain of a germ that might no be sensitive to the drugs prescribed are mandatory under these circumstances. Screening for diabetes should be done. A sample of the fluid or pus from the foot should be sent to two different biology laboratories for cultures and anti biotic sensitivity testing. A proper clinical evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is useful in this case to identify and pus pockets if any, and removal of any predisposing anatomical structures to develop these infections. I suggest you book an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, or while waiting the proposed investigations done. Thanks and hope this helps as I wish you the best of health. Thanks and wishing you the best of health. Kind regards. Bain LE, MD.