Going to the surgeon for an infection? Lots of Q's

DS has an infection in his foot and is currently on keflex and bactr-something. His Pedi told me if it;s not better I'm to take him to the surgeon she wrote down for me so he could ''open it up and explore"

I thought they open infections to drain them? Does she suspect there is something in there?

I heard they just numb the area but it's not like a 3.5 year old will just let them mess with his foot. Will they sedate him? They won't tie him down like they down when kids get a spinal tap, will they?

if a doctor worded it like that to me ide go and get a 2ent opinion... but no when there that little the knock them out from what ive come to understand dont quote me on that tho..

Quoting pumpkin & monster fetus:" if a doctor worded it like that to me ide go and get a 2ent opinion... but no when there that little the knock them out from what ive come to understand dont quote me on that tho.. "

I really trust this doctor, I've known her for 19 years.

Not the same I'm sure, but my daughter had to have a wound reopened due to infection. I wasn't there when they did it or anything, but they opened it to see what was happening (it was red and weepy and stuff) and to then deal with the infection since it had already started to heal.

Most likely what they mean by open up and explore is they wilk open up the area and drain and clean out the infection but will take a culture of the infection to see what kind of infection it is so he can be put on the beat antibiotic to treat the infection. Each infection is different and is sensitive to different medications. They always try Keflex and Bactrim first then will open it up and culture it if that does not help. Also you might try warm compresses or baths as that w ill help draw the infection to the surface so it can drain on its own.

I'm guess they will want to drain it, and also make sure that there isn't something (like glass) stuck in there keeping it from feeling. They would probably also do a culture to see what type of infection it is.

They will not put a kid under sedation unless absolutely necessary bc of the risks. If he kicks and screams, they will either hold him down or strap him down. I had to get strapped down at that age to have my stomach pumped with charcoal.

Quoting Chuck Bass:" I'm guess they will want to drain it, and also make sure that there isn't something (like glass) stuck ... [snip!] ... will either hold him down or strap him down. I had to get strapped down at that age to have my stomach pumped with charcoal."

Well that makes sense, thankies!

  He FREAKS out if he's held down.

Quoting H&K; loves olan:" Well that makes sense, thankies!   He FREAKS out if he's held down."

 

Try talking to him beforehand and practicing showing him how the doctor will look at his foot. I did that with Ethan a lot when I knew we had to go to the ENT to get his tonsils checked, because it was hard to get him to open his mouth and let anyone look.

Quoting Chuck Bass:"   Try talking to him beforehand and practicing showing him how the doctor will look at his foot. I ... [snip!] ... knew we had to go to the ENT to get his tonsils checked, because it was hard to get him to open his mouth and let anyone look."

He won't understand, he has very little comprehension. Maybe I'll post in SN for some ideas. I wonder if they'd let me bring my phone in there and put on a show for him to focus on?

Quoting H&K; loves olan:" He won't understand, he has very little comprehension. Maybe I'll post in SN for some ideas. I wonder if they'd let me bring my phone in there and put on a show for him to focus on?"

I don't see why not.

Even if you can't explain it to him, just try doing association. Say "foot doctor" and then look at his foot, you know?

Quoting Chuck Bass:" I don't see why not. Even if you can't explain it to him, just try doing association. Say "foot doctor" and then look at his foot, you know?"

I'll try doing that. Tonight I tried explaining to him that his medicine will make his foot better so hopefully with continued conversation he'll kinda get it. Hopefully he won't have to go to the surgeon though.

I think they may very well sedate him...