Hi,

I am becoming concerned that my injured leg, which was infected twice, may have some internal infection now. I am experiencing a repeated sort of throbbing pain in the area where the wound was.

Perhaps a little background would help. I fell off a ladder and hit my leg on corner of a deck. The skin did not break. There was redness and occasional pain (felt like nerve pain, sometimes very intense). A hole opened up and fluid came out. Because I have edema, I wasn't surprised. I tried to keep the opening clean with hydrogen pyroxide (I now know this is too strong)but the hole kept getting bigger. I hadn't gone to a doctor because I have no medical insurance. Finally had to go to ER, received IV antibiotics for several days.

After release, I went to PT for months for dressing of wound, which was very slow to heal because of edem. Almost healed 2 or 3 times over period of over a year, but it got re-infected, went to ER again. At that time, doctor said he was concerned about the possibility of dead tissue or something causing re-infection. I am very frightened that the sensations I am having indicate another infection. Can an internal infection heal? I am being sued by bill collectors because I have not been able to pay the ER bill, am an unemployed student unable to find a job in current economy. Sorry this is so long, will be grateful for any information.