New person here with a question

Syxx · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 03:47 AM

Hi everyone, I stumbled onto this place while trying to find some answers about my back surgery. For a bit of background, my husband and I were in an accident on Feb 21/08 when I was driving our 18 wheeler and we got hit head on by another 18 wheeler. We were "okay" according to the small hospital, so basically we were able to get home and get looked at better.

After starting physio for back pain, it was discovered that I had a disk herniation at my L4/L5. They tried to treat it at physio for 6 months with me having more and more problems with my sciatic nerve, to the point that I had to use a cane and the muscles in the back of my leg stopped working.

I was recommended to a surgeon and surgery was set. I had a disk decompression on Apr 16/09.

Now here's my problem. My surgeon agrees that this is not normal, but I'm hoping I'm not the only one this has happened to. About 4 days after my staples came out I started bleeding from the incision. The ER thought it was a hematoma, but it's still bleeding. The surgeon isn't happy about it.

In the process of the bandages being constantly changed for a week my husband got a good look at my back repeatedly. This is the "not normal" part. The top and bottom of it are fine, and healing nicely, but the middle part (about 2 inches) are sunken in. It actually looks like a belly button on my back. When my hubby has to clean it to replace the bandage, he can feel my spine right under my skin. We've also noticed that the muscles aren't really where they're supposed to be. They seemed to have bunched up at the top of the scar.

I have to go see the surgeon again on Wednesday, and would like to walk in there prepared for anything. A re-surgery has been suggestion since the stitches may have popped and the muscles moved, but they're not sure.

Had anyone seen this before?

The red on the outside edges is the tattoo he sliced through. You can see the skin pulling in around the tattoo inwards. Sorry about the blood, but honestly, it's never without it right now.

Thanks everyone for your time

Katie · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 03:59 AM

Dear syxx, if you don't mind saying, where in Ontario are you? I think I might have heard of your accident. You can send a private message if you like.

Also, which doctor did you see? I have experience with a few and we can chat if you like. That photo definitely shows something 'not right'. Not that I'm a doctor or anything...it just looks off. Good luck with your appointment, and as you have already done, research as much as possible. It is your best defense.

All the best,

Katie

Nairek · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 04:04 AM

Let me see if I understood this correctly. Your stitches came out 4 days after your surgery? That isn't enough time for the skin to come together & heal in my opinion.

Also, is there a lot of redness around the outside of the surgical site? It looks like there is some redness in the outer area (not where the tattoo is) from where the incision is. Is it like that all of the time? Or am I not seeing it correctly? I only ask because I had a wound on my leg like that once where there was redness around the wound & it turned out that I was 1 day away from being hospitalized with a severe infection.

I'm not a doctor by any means. I'm not saying that it looks like an infection to me. You do seem to be concerned about it though & you should get it checked out just to be on the safe side. I wouldn't wait another week before seeing your surgeon. Better to play it safe.

Please keep us updated on your progress & welcome to the board!

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 06:54 AM

This does not sound right. Do I understand correctly that your next step is a week away? Is your surgeon aware of what is happening now?

Cindylou · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 11:49 AM

I second all of the above. Don't wait till next Wednesday to get it looked at. If there is also a secondary thing going on like infection, and I'm not saying there is, but, you need to be seen sooner rather than later. Don't take no for an answer. You just had surgery, so they should be able to squeeze you in, if you're having post-surgery problems. Demand it. I had two back surgeries that had to be re-opened, for reasons different from yours, but am here if you would like to PM me. But first....get yourself to your Dr. Glad you found us. Let us know how it goes. We care.

Cindylou

Syxx · #6 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 01:37 PM

Hey everyone, thanks for the great advice. I'm down in southern ontario, but it happened near Dryden, so I doubt you heard of it

The doc knows what's going on. i have to see him weekly right now to see if it improves. He's got me on anti-biotics right now just in case an infection develops from it being open like that. I"m planning on telling him it has to be fixed, but knowing him he'll want it fixed anyway. He's a top rate surgeon (Dr.Dunlop) and I know he's very proud of his work. He isn't going to want me walking around with it telling people he did it lol.

Course if it isn't fixed, I already have a cover story: I was supposed to be twins and that is it's belly button lol

Katie · #7 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 02:22 PM

Not to scare you, but just because you are on antibiotics, it doesn't mean that they are working. They could be the wrong one for the possible infection, or it could be a bug that is resistant to most medications. There is a lot of that going around, and is nothing to mess with.

Sorry, I would still insist on going back in to see him immediately, and take a culture, etc. of the wound to see if it is truly infected. It is pretty red. This is your spine after all, and a whoops afterward may make the doctor feel good, but will not fix any damage done.

I had a similar thing happen after my hysterectomy. The surgeon kept insisting I didn't have an infection when I had drainage from the incision, but by the time he actually took me seriously, I had a nasty infection that took quite awhile to clear.

Trust your instincts.