could it be a bone infection?

Question

in december of '04 i broke a bone in my foot. i was off work for about a month or 2. everything was fine until february of '06, when it rebroke, along with another bone. nothing was done to cause the second break. i was put in a cast and was off work for almost 3 months. once again, everything looked fine. that is until about a month ago. it started with a badly bruised feeling on the top of my foot. and it continuously worsened and i could not put pressure on the foot at all. i went to the hospital and they took an x-ray. said it was broken once again,and to see my orthopedic. so when i went, i was put in a stabilizing boot and on crutches and told that i have to play the waiting game. but as the days go on, i have noticed a small lump on the top of my foot, but not where the break is. and it is very sensitive to any pressure. there is slight swelling, and a horrible burning sensation all over the top of the foot. i also get sharp shooting pains constantly. what could cause this?

there is no open wound and the lump is not discolored. it's not hot to the touch, just a deep feeling of heat.

i have also been using a bone growth stimulator since february.

Answer 1

Sounds like you might be developing RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). Try to pay attention to abnormal hair growth and temperature changes when comparing the "good" foot the the affected one. If it was a bone infection your orthopedic surgeon should have caught it. For some reason your bones aren't healing (non-union). You should get a second opinion. They may choose to add a bone stimulator to help proper bone growth. There are many other things to consider as well but I'm just throwin out a few for you to start with. Look up RSD on the net to see if the symptoms match yours. Good luck!

Answer 2

While it is unlikely to get osteomylitis since the skin was never broken (as mentioned earlier), there is still a possiblity of osteonecrosis. Many times when bones in the foot or wrist are fractured, they significantly damage the blood supply to the bone. Therefore, the bone tissue starts to die and makes the bone very fragile. This is known as osteonecrosis. Another possiblity is that you have developed a neuroma which is a thickening of a nerve which can cause the symptoms you describe. This definetly requires further evaluation by the orthopedist to rule out these things and others.

Answer 3

Sometimes you can't tell if there's osteo on an x-ray. And trauma definitely is a risk for osteomyelitis, even if it's a close fracture. See a doctor, preferably not an ortho resident :)
I agree with seeing someone more experienced.
Osteos are really hard to treat and they are risk factors for secondary fractures.

Was the second fracture caused by trauma or was it spontaneous? If the latter is the case, there is something very wrong with that bone.

Bottom line: see a doctor!

Answer 4

See an orthopedic surgeon. if you have a medical school in the city where you live, see a professor who teaches orthopedics.

These broken foot bones are VERY unusual, and the new pain on the top of your foot is probably a good clue as to the root of the problem.

Answer 5

Is the lump hot and red?

Unless there was a wound when you broke the bone originally ,osteomyelitis is unlikely. However, it is probably advisable to go to see the fracture clinic again.

Answer 6

I use a supplement that increases bone density, and it isn't a self-proclaiming load of rubbish. The stuff actually works, which makes a change these days.

When I was young the bone in my lower leg split down its length, because it hadn't hardened properly (Osgood Shlatters). I have absolutely no problems any more.

if you want some information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Take care!

Answer 7

You should see your primary care physician. If it is an infection your labs will be out of whack. however, I don't think an infection will cause broken bones.

Answer 8

Start taking calcium and get a second opinion.

Answer 9

it could be an infection of the nerve sheath on the bone.

Answer 10

Could be osteomylitis.......need to go back to the doctor and not ask these stupid people on Yahoo.....how would they know???DUH!!!