Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
This query is for my dad, who is 75 years old. In the last two months, for one week, he has been housebound, and for the initial month, he was completely bedridden. He slipped twice on the first day. That is how it all started. His right leg could not carry the weight of his body. He is approximately 243 pounds and 6 feet tall. He has had this problem for the last 30 years, but he had never been bedridden, and the medication worked. He is also diabetic, taking medication for the heart - Eliquis 2.5 mg to reduce the risk of formation of blood clots, and he also has varicose veins.
On the first day after this started, he took medication himself as per his last prescription. It did not work, and after four days, we called the same doctor home who prescribed Insulin, Zocef CV 500 twice 10 days, Levoflox 500 once a day for 10 days, and Daflon twice for 15 days. He said to give it nine days before a follow-up.
However, after five days, there was no relief, and it had started oozing or edema, which he noticed when he was sitting up, when two visitors came over. The next day, we called another doctor, a diabetologist, as the previous doctor had said to visit a vascular surgeon, as he could not do anything about the oozing. This doctor completely changed the medicines
prescribed Linospan 600 twice, Ceftum 500 twice, Chymoral Forte twice, along with two other ointments, Nadoxin and Betadine,
and dressing the wounds. This gave immediate relief. He continued the medication for two weeks till the next follow by the same doctor.
By this time, the wounds (characterized by oozing, discoloration, swelling) had completely healed except a small hole at the ankle. This time, the doctor prescribed Doxy 100 twice for two weeks and Orni O twice for seven days along with the same ointments. After the end of two weeks, he continued this for a further 10 days, after which he was prescribed Dalacin 300 mg for seven days. He took this for around 12 days. Since the last 10 days, he has been taking his own medication - Zocef CV 500, Levoflox 500, and Daflon, and at present, he is back to Dalacin 300 for the last two days.
He is averse to being admitted to a hospital for the fear of amputation, and because he does not want to be admitted to a hospital. He prefers to be treated at home. 10 days ago, my mom also went to our family doctor, who, on seeing the pics of the leg, said that, as per his opinion, it required immediate hospitalization and recommended a color Doppler of both lower limbs, both arterial and venous. My dad cannot walk to get this test done. Please advise, especially since he is not able to walk beyond the bed to the dining table for more than five minutes.
Also, why does the leg get swollen off and on now? After taking the antibiotics for so long (now 67 days), does it mean that there is some internal problem? How can it be diagnosed?
Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
He needs to be seen by a podiatric surgeon or a surgeon who deals with foot care.
Being an elderly diabetic with limb swelling, it is always safe to get a Doppler (both arterial and venous) of the limbs done. Arterial Doppler rules out any block or reduced flow and the possibility of pre-gangrene (evolving tissue loss). Venous Doppler rules out varicose veins (which he already has) and also deep vein thrombosis (obstruction of deep veins, which is dangerous). This can change the current line of management.
Antibiotics can be stopped if there is no evidence of active infection and proper limb care is given.
Some general measures you have to follow:
You can add some flow modulators like Trental (Pentoxifylline 400 mg twice daily), which can improve blood flow. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and start taking the medicines with their consent.
I hope this helps.
Kindly revert in case of further queries.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Noushif. M
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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