extensive handSurgeryCaused intense inflammation throughout body

I am very concerned about my sister who is 65 years old. She had extensive surgery on both of her hands (about a week apart) A few weeks after surgery her feet, knees, shoulders and neck, (and without a doubt her hands) began swelling up at an alarming rate. The pain is severe for her. She can barely get up out of a chair. She has always been active. Apparently, after some blood work, a family doctor said this is inflammation that has occurred from her hands and has given her strong anti-inflamatories which have not helped, and which are dangerous because she has had serious IBS in the past, brought on by ibuprofen, etc. The blood test showed no sign of rheumatoid arthritis. She does has a gentetic tendency toward osteoarthritis. She is getting worse and we are extremely alarmed. Could this be some hidden infection? I would assume they would have done a test for staff but I'm not sure. Is there a possibility of something like "Leaky Gut Syndrome? The anti- inflammatories are not an option. She is a past smoker who is now using the electric cigarrettes. She has very little money, but is trying homeopathic remedies (Nopalea, infrared light,etc) which are expensive. Would so much appreciate your advice. Thank you, Marcia