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Original poster

really need a DOCTOR or NURSE to tell me what this means??

72 replies

lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:20

i obtained a copy of dd's medical notes, and cant really understand what exactly the MRI scan results of her foot mean?

PLEASE can anyone tell me in "normal" terms what this means exactly?

MR LEFT FOOT : a band of marrow oedema is present in the posterior calcaneum just below the cartilage, extending anteriorly into the body of the calcaneum. a small focal irregularity is seen at the posterior osseous margin. a small amount of oedema is present in the subcutaneous tissues of the heel. the tendons, muscles and other bones demonstrate normal appearances.

the calcaneal marrow oedema is consistent with a focal intrinsic pathology and would account for the patients symptoms. appearances are not compatible with tumour and given the history injury seems unlikely.

on balance therefore a low grage chronic infection seems most likely.

i was wondering what the mention of tumour is referring to, and also the mention of "history injury"....

really need someone to help me out with this

OP posts:
happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 12:49

It is horrible when your kids are ill in any way and it is worse if you don't have anyone to 'bounce' things off. Everything seems worse and gets to feel more worrying.

THis is the best and least worrying diagnosis that you could get about your dds foot.

It Isn't a tumour. It wasn't caused by an accident. The 'abnormality' has been caused by an infection that has been there for a while. They will be able to monitor and treat it.

please don't worry. But I do know what it feels like. I panic all the time about dh, even though I know that I shouldn't

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:49

that sounds odd, im surprised they havent started her on anti-biotics.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:50

SP...her last appointment they just said, that it was a low grade chronic bone infection, and just gave me a phone number if any probs...surely they should be doing follow up x-rays or something...sick of fighting them though

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happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 12:50

Ohh, if they are leaving it wihtout treatment there is nothing to worry about. It is like all the viral infections that kids get, they get better on their own.

Please don't worry.

happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 12:51

If they feel that it is a virus they will not start antibiotics, since antibiotics do nothing for a viral infection

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:51

hmb, is right though, this outcome is more favourable to your worst fears, its not a tumour on anything omnious.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:51

HMB...but from what i have read/told a bone infection is NOT good at all...especially chronic

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spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:53

depends on whether they think it is viral or not, naturally if viral then anti-biotics will do nothing, but dont worry they know what they are doing, if you are concerened ask to speak to your gp to put your mind at rest.

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:54

probably best not to research it on the net!! it will just turn you into a nervous wreck, and the infection the link is referring to is more serious, there are other infections that can occur in the foot.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:54

it isnt caused by a virus (its not like a cold) its caused by bacteria(blood born) eating at the bone (like tooth decay)...treated by IV antibiotics...in bad chronic cases of bone infection, they have to cut away diseased bone...the reason they are not treating her is because she is able to walk on it at the moment

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spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:55

my friend over the road is a trauma and orthopaedics nurse but i cant ask her about it cos shes gone on holiday!

happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 12:56

They have made it clear that it is low grade.

The internet is a wonderful resource, I use it all the time. BUT you can read stuff and be spooked at how serious things sound. If they have not planned any further treatment you can be sure that the docs are not worried.

Obviously the very best result would have been that there as nothing wrong with your child ar all....but that wasn't going to happen, since she had probelms with her foot.

Please, please please don't mistake a small low garde infection for the sorts of things that can crop up in intravenous drug abusers! It realy isn't the same thing at all.

It is like a skin infetion can be a little bit of pus, or it can be cellulitis that can end up with you in hospital!

By the sounds of it your dd has been thorougly checked out and the docs don't feel she needs more tratment . This is a good thing, it mean that they are not wooried.

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:56

lilsmum, i think the best thing to do is go to your gp or ring them on monday and ask the gp, what the hospital have diagnosed your dd as suffering from, they will have sent a letter to your gp so your gp can rwad that.

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 12:57

read i mean.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:57

SP... thanks.

HMB...it IS something to worry about, it is a bone infection in my toddlers foot, no offence but it isnt caused by a vius, its not something that will go away on its own.

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happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 12:58

I would agree that the best person to have a chat with would be your doc. But in the mean time PLease dont worry yourself sick about this.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 12:59

SP i have a copy of the GP's letter...

it says low grade chronic bone infection.

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sparklymieow · 17/09/2005 13:01

Awww Lilmums why do they do that?? Mention things that scare you? I got a letter about DS once and it said he was progressing well, against the expections of a child with Angelman sydrome, I thought he had AS, and was so scared.....

happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 13:01

No, I understand totaly what you are saying. We all want our kids to be well all the time. It is awful when your kids get ill. The thing with infections is that we can fight them off on our own. If this is a low grade infection it means that your dd is fighting it off...or it would be a higher grade infetion. If the docs haven't precribed antibiotics it will be because they don't think that she needs them.

Please don't get too worried is all I'm trying to say. I'm not dismissing your concern, but the worst has not happened to your dd. If the docs were worried they would be doing things

spacecadet · 17/09/2005 13:02

lilsmum, easier said than done i know, but please try not to panic, go and speak with your gp on monday and ask him to explain whats going on, ask why its not being treated, in the way you think, ask exactly what the outcome will be etc and hopefully your gp will be able to reassure you. what exactly does it say on the gp;s letter?

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 13:03

the thing is, she has had this since april with no treatment...nothing, she was unable to walk for 2 months, i want to get to the bottom of it all, get her treatment....i feel like i am banging my head against a brick wall

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happymerryberries · 17/09/2005 13:06

I can understand your frustration. I would have a chat with your GP. But over the weekend please don't worry yourself ill over this.

She doesn't have a tumour.

Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 13:06

just mentions about the oedema (everything on the MRI results) and said when her consultant is back that lilly would see him (he was on hol when the results were given)

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Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 13:08

is there anyone on here who is a doctor or nurse?

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Original poster
lilsmum · 17/09/2005 13:09

HMB.... i KNOW she doesnt have tumour.

also i wont be worrying myself sick over the weekend, i have done that since april.

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