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Suggest Remedies For Bed Sores Developed Post A Hip Surgery
Posted on
Mon, 30 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 30 May 2016
Answered on
Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My husband has had hip surgery and then developed bed sores. As his nurse/caregiver I have been working on them since October at home. He now had bright red shins and occasional sores. It does not go away and I don't know how to treat it. He goes to a wound center for the bed sores and they have recommended lanolin type lotion for the shins. They have not gotten ber. what do I do now.
His shins are bright red. There is no itching. His legs were swollen, but do not appear swollen now. Could this be cellulitis? No one seems concerned about this but me. what can I do.
He does not shower since he is afraid of falling, but does wash his legs.
His shins are bright red. There is no itching. His legs were swollen, but do not appear swollen now. Could this be cellulitis? No one seems concerned about this but me. what can I do.
He does not shower since he is afraid of falling, but does wash his legs.
Brief Answer:
Please post photos and follow the advise as given below
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history about your husband.
To recapitulate: Male/77 - diabetic - hip surgery - bed sores - since Oct - almost 8 months now - bright red shins and occasional sores - lanolin type lotion for skin and gold bond diabetic lotion - no itching - legs were swollen - not now - does not shower - wants to know whether this is cellulitis and what can be done...
I would suggest you the following:
- First of all if possible, please post clear photos of the affected parts as it helps sometimes for on-the-spot diagnosis.
- Control of diabetic- What is the recent level of HbA1c and blood glucose?
- Elevation of the legs above the heart level in lying down position is the single most effective way to reduce the edema and redness of the lower limbs. (watch out for how this can be done and whether the hip surgery is a hindrance or not). In such a case the leg-end of the bed by 8 inches if there is problems with joints.
- Multivitamins and therapeutic dosages of Vitamin A and D helps early recovery.
Consult your Doctor for the dosages and prescription.
- Red shins can be due to inflammation as you have rightly noticed and the fluid anywhere in the boy when stagnated can cause infection to set in.
- Test of valid for CBC and other factors will help to get the diagnosis.
- Apply liquid/solution Povidone Iodine to the affected area. Let it dry.
- Ultrasonography of the effected area and the venous as arterial color doppler.
- Antibiotics only if infection is suspected or actually present.
-
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to post the fresh and clear photographs that you can attach with this query and ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please post photos and follow the advise as given below
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history about your husband.
To recapitulate: Male/77 - diabetic - hip surgery - bed sores - since Oct - almost 8 months now - bright red shins and occasional sores - lanolin type lotion for skin and gold bond diabetic lotion - no itching - legs were swollen - not now - does not shower - wants to know whether this is cellulitis and what can be done...
I would suggest you the following:
- First of all if possible, please post clear photos of the affected parts as it helps sometimes for on-the-spot diagnosis.
- Control of diabetic- What is the recent level of HbA1c and blood glucose?
- Elevation of the legs above the heart level in lying down position is the single most effective way to reduce the edema and redness of the lower limbs. (watch out for how this can be done and whether the hip surgery is a hindrance or not). In such a case the leg-end of the bed by 8 inches if there is problems with joints.
- Multivitamins and therapeutic dosages of Vitamin A and D helps early recovery.
Consult your Doctor for the dosages and prescription.
- Red shins can be due to inflammation as you have rightly noticed and the fluid anywhere in the boy when stagnated can cause infection to set in.
- Test of valid for CBC and other factors will help to get the diagnosis.
- Apply liquid/solution Povidone Iodine to the affected area. Let it dry.
- Ultrasonography of the effected area and the venous as arterial color doppler.
- Antibiotics only if infection is suspected or actually present.
-
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to post the fresh and clear photographs that you can attach with this query and ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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