Thanks for your response Mark.
Yes, my osteomyelitis preceded the steroid injection. No other surgical procedure or puncture wound was involved. The infection was definitely hematogenous with no certainty as to its origin. The infectious disease specialist quizzed me quite a bit about possibilities. The best I could come up with was an odd and long-lasting sore on the roof of my mouth in 2009. I get my teeth cleaned every 6 months and the sore appeared shortly before a scheduled cleaning. I thought I should cancel, but my dentist wanted to take a picture of it. I recently asked if he could send the image to my NS and the infectious disease doc. Haven't heard any response yet -- not sure if they could make any conclusive judgment anyway.
The surgeon you mentioned is right. I fell several times in my home when trying to stand or walk. I simply collapsed. After I fell in the hospital, while washing my hands, I was no longer allowed to use my walker independently. After weeks of heavy-duty IV antibiotics, I still rely on my walker and spend most of my time on my side, in bed. The pain has mostly subsided to a constant dull ache that's tolerable, although I do still experience searing pain that elicits a scream and occurs when I'm moving. That's when I reach for the narcotics. I'm in my second week of PT though and am slowly getting stronger.
Do you have any references for autofusion? I don't mind ending up a little shorter, but am concerned that even after strengthening my core the vertebral misalignment will remain a zone of weakness. Also, I worry about the adjacent segments being compromised. My PT also thinks I have mild cauda equina syndrome.
Like all of us I imagine, I just want my life back. When asked by my PT what
my goal was, I said, "To hike the (Grand) Canyon with my son." He's 9. I truly enjoyed watching the video of you skiing. There's a lovely hopefulness there.
Thanks again.
Cheers, Debra
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