I have been reading so much on this site... you all are amazing!! I am 17 yrs post SCI and am a C-6. I have always had very good skin, no breakdowns until 2000 when I developed bone spurs on both my right & left ischial. Had to have surgery, took a few mo. to heal, then was fine until last Aug... another bone spur on left ischial... had surgery, spent 7 mo. healing, then developed another bone spur on my right ischial... had surgery in May, was healed up in 8 weeks. Now, I broke open on the right ischial... right calf & right heel. Doc said could be from my ongoing bladder infections & weightloss due to needing an ileostomy after my surgery in Aug as my large intestine didn't wake up... I know the ischial breakdown is my fault as it was red and I got up anyway, yadda, yadda, yadda. I have the great low air loss mattress (is that what it's called??) and I keep it set at my weight even though it kills my back. So my questions are... we are cleaning the wounds (all are open) with this wound care cleanser and applying silversorb then applying a gauze dressing over them. Does this sound right? I read about apple cider vinegar... do you drink this?? And I should up my protein intake, right? Should I stay on water or is there something better to drink for the skin? I do okay on water for bladder infections, so I guess I should stay on it, blah. What about vitamins? What is good for quads in general? Natural remedies? I want to heal up as I am so very sick of staying in bed!! I have an awesome boyfriend who comes over after work every day and is being a real trooper w/my staying in bed, but it's time to get up!! *smile* What else can I do to heal up faster?

Thanks in advance!!

-April

How many times a day are you cleaning them,We started out wPanafil,but that was only for inside,on the yellow,or dead tissue,alternating saline everyother day,

One day clean w saline,
Apply Panafil w q-tip
gauze
patch,or medical tape
Next day clean
Soak gauze(let it on sores)w saline
dry gauze over top
patch or medical tape
After dead tissue,kinda yellowish was gone,we replaced the Panafil w the silvadeen(not sure how to spell)
My sore was healed in 8 mo.s
Dr's were impressed,My mom was determined to heal it,I've been sore free,(got it at rehab)
Oh,Most important,The panafil can only go on dead tissue!!!!!

I cannot advise you on wound care as I am not knowledgeable on it. But I did want to comment on the cider vinegar and protein intake. There is very conflicting info about the cider vinegar so I'd ask my physician before taking it as a remedy. Also too much protein (animal) can lead to stones and other things. Be very careful and please run your plan by your doc before you take on a home remedy.
Good fortune to you in your healing!

Hi April,
have you had a skin pressure map done? It could be the cushion on your chair!

No, I haven't had a skin pressure map done; I've never heard of it till now, so thanks for the tip. I have a new Roho cushion that is properly inflated, so no telling if it's that or...... I have a suprapubic cath and have been wetting the bed really bad about 3-4 x's a week thru the hole the cath goes in... this started the day I got the ileostomy.... so the sore on my ischial does get damp & it can't be good for it. Arg. My urologist put me on 18 Oxybutian's a day.... 6 three x's a day and it hasn't helpped, any thoughts??

-april

Hi again April...Oxybutynin 6 three x's daily! My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth at the thought!!
Use Cavilon 3M barrier cream around your sores to prevent urine acid eating your butt.
I was facing a skinflap op this year due to an on-going (4yrs) sore on my right ischial until I was recently hospitalized to gain weight. I'm now on a high protein fat diet & am riddled with bladder stones-perhaps you have them too? That could explain your bedwetting. Perhaps you need a bigger cath? I am 25yrs SCI & have only ever had cath leakage when I've had stones.
How much is your cath balloon inflated with? Try more & less..I use a sz 16 inflated with 15ml.
Feel free to message me. I feel bad for you..hugs.

April, I've had a total of 7 flap surgeries even though I'm on a low air loss mattress. I've been taking Ensure Plus but for me it tends to be expensive being on disability and social security. I'm 46 C11/C12. I was injured in 2001. I've had an ileostomy for approx. 5 years now since it has helped me to not invade my lifestyle like a cath had plus other issues I've had with them. I was taking care of my wounds with silversord and fibracol. The Fibracol is alittle pricey but it does wonders. Besides eaating higher protein foods I was wondering if you are taking or know of anything for weight gain since that is an ongoing problem with me. My butt is skin and bones so the mattress cannot be hard since that bothers me.
I also wanted to know more about your bone spurs. How they were detected, why they develop, pain level, how are they treated, what type of doctor treated you and what's the reason for you developing so many? I would appreciate any information you could provide me on this subject. I had a cat scan done for my ongoing kidney stones and a possible bone spur was detected on my left ischial bone. My pain is 7 on q wcqle to 10.
I 've asked you alot of questions here but would appreciate any assistance you can provide me. Thanks

My husband still isnt healed after 6 surgeries, 2 months on wound vac and 5 weeks doing daily hyperbaric treatments, or and a muscle flap. What a long road it has been! Right now he is using Prisma and covering it with dressings. This is his first day using it. Anyone else use if before? The panafil and silversorb did not work for him.

Dear April,

I've incurred plenty of burns and other wounds and have learned the best general way to heal skin and tissue injuries ASAP. Keep the wound clean, moist and sealed for fast reduced-scar healing. Clean with soap and water, then wash with Betadine and cover with Silvadene or neosporyn. To seal cover with a Duoderm patch. If you can't afford Duoderm by those new Band-aids Advanced Healing adhesive pads. I use the 3 inch by 2.5 inch Firts Aid Advanced Care bandaids from Johnson & Johnson. Wear the Duoderm or Advanced Care patch until it falls off but no more than three days and repeat till healed.

Scoob