Fungal toes - denied hip op?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello Hip-Op Forum

I'm writing on behalf of my Mum.

You were so kind the last time I posted as Mum was trying to work out how to organise her house to support her hip op many months ago but sadly she's postponed her hip op several times now because of the house but now the surgeon has said that he won't operate because she has fungus on her toes.

Ironically, so do I and, when I did a show and tell - mine are worse than hers - but it seems that having fungal toes is a no-no as far as the hip op is concerned for the surgeon she's been assigned to.

Mum is confused and so am I about the risks involved with having a hip op when you have fungal toes.  

I encouraged her to get her GP to refer her to a podiatrist - and they removed the fungal toe completely but meantime - it spread to her two little toes and now to her other big toe - no other toes are affect.

The toes infectect are just thick - and although she's been applying treatment to them, filing them down before hand applying sterialising solution, then nail cure - because they've grown so thick - she needs them filed down so the treatment can take hold.

So she's gone back to the GP - been referred to another podiatrist and is now on a regular treatment plan to file the nails down and apply the treatment.  She's been told it will take up to two years for it to work.

Meantime, because she's been told by her podiatrist and the GP that the surgeon won't operation because she has fungacidal toes.

As toes take years to grow out - and she really does need this op now - does she really have to wait for years until this is cured before having the op?

Or is this just a case of surgeons aring on the side of caution?

With such an amazing forum of hip-opers on here - I wonder - would you mind sharing your fungal toes stories?

Thank you so much.

Or,

 

2

I should think the reason the surgeon is refusing to do the op is because with any fungal related illness it can be contagious and could easily infect the scar, I had to have my diabetes under control otherwise they wouldn't do the op on me I had my op on 11th may I see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow up and hopefully he will look at doing my other hip

3

Sorry I don't have any.

4

I think it is because there is a risk of the infection getting into the  the operation site and causing the implant to become infected and need to be removed

5

Hi there

My chiropodist does laser treatment for fungal toe nail

My husband suffered with it - his toe nails were like horses hooves they were so thick

You might want to make some enquiries as this is the up to date way of dealing with it

Kind wishes Linda

6

Hello there, so sorry to hear that your Mums op has been delayed again.  This has got me really worried now as I am due for my op late September and I have fungal toe nails on both feet.  I've had them for years and have tried several remedies, none of which have worked.  I'm going to phone my surgeons secretary in the morning to ask about this.  Yours is the first post I've seen on this forum about fungal toenails.  Has any other Hippy had a similar experience?

7

Hi haj5, this is a difficult situation as your mum needs the op but the risks of her not surviving are high. Patients who are admitted following emergencies such as road traffic accidents have on occassion had fungal infections, if their injuries are life threatening the op goes ahead. The problem is that the fungus can be found on other parts of the body, protected by intact skin it is irritatind but if it becomes systemic can lead to septicemia and lead to death.

I would speak to your GP again and ask if she can be given a body scrub to help eradicate the risk, instructions will have to be followed to the word and could irritate her skin. If your mum has other medical conditions, this option may not be available.

Hope you are able to get this sorted out for both you and your mum, Dot.

8

Hi Haj5

Yes the surgeon is correct to stop the operation. Even if you have atleast foot they will not operate. If you have a boil or abscess anywhere on your body they will NOT operate. The reason for this is there is more chance of your new hip getting an internal infection so anything at all that is wrong they will not operate. In the operating rooms they are made so that even purified and filtred air from outside the hospital is pumped in to the room stop any chance of an infection. So until your mum is totally 100% healthy again they won't touch her at all. Sorry but that is how it is everywhere.

9

Thank you marilyn - good luck tomorrow!

 

10

Thank you pansycat52 - I had no idea that laser treatment could be done for fungal toes and will certainly be googling that - thank you!!

 

11

Hi JenniferLouise - I'm sorry if I've got you worried about this.  I'm getting the feeling from research on google that it is not a worry if you have normal fungal toes as it seems so prevalent with everyone at some point or other - unless you've been treated beause the toe has become infected as well for some other reason and anitbiotics prescribed - nurses have shared that fungal toes on their own don't seem to pose a problem for many - but that's why I asked on this forum - sorry again to worry you and hopefully they'll share something with you that will put my Mum's mind at rest too.

 

12

Hi dot60135

This is what is worrying me and how it is that they can tract whether fungus is in other parts of the body and so may cause her to be at risk.

My podiatrist told me that because I have fungus on my toes it's elsewhere on my body - and that I need to get my body under control but there are no tests for this type of fungal infection "of the body".

But also said - most fungal infections are minor and on the skin only and rarely unless someone has immune deficiency disorders is this a  concern but I could be very wrong - but thank you for the heads up on how serious such an innocent condition could be for hip-ops.

 

13

Hi I had my chiropodist over to do mine as I had the same problem. My nails were cut really short and the surgeon still went ahead! Don't give up! Regards Amanda

14

Hi Hailea

Whist I understand that any bacterial infection is a risk and why they will not operation - I'm confused how a local fungal infection is a risk for such an operation.

Mum's not got any bacteria infection it's just a fungus related infection on two little toes and her big one.

I'll keep doing research but thank you so much for pointing out about the bacteria infection - that's very important.

Thank you again.

 

15

Thanks maggie93798

I'll investigate this further - thanks for the heads up!

 

16

Thanks gillcat for responding - lucky you!!

 

17

I think the hospital are being over cautious! All they need to do discover those toes maybe. As long as the nails are under treatment there shouldn't be a problem. Regards Amanda

18

Thank you amanda1827h

That was so what I wanted to hear!!

I'm guessing as long as treatment is being done and things are being looked after by the GP and podiatrist - all will be well and that they did this for you is fantastic encouragement - so thank you so much!!

 

19

Fungal infections can be life threatening if they become systemic

20

Hello haj5, 

Sorry to hear of your mothers situation. As others have mentioned a fungal infection or any infection can cause infection in the joint which can inevitably lead to removal (my mother had to have hers removed for months while on antibiotics before they'd replace). My surgeon told me it's the biggest precaution and care taken. Today I am going to have my pre-op bloods ready for next weeks op and have been told I will be asked to strip off for a skin check.

The other concerns with existing infection are that you mother will have a catheter and IV lines which can also be a port for infection into the body.

The surgeon obviously wants the best for your mother and of course has to report infection rates so he is accountable for your mothers surgery. Keep going with the treatment.....it will be a better outcome for your mother.