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7 days Post ORIF - Yellow skin?!

Posted , 5 users are following.

CalicoKitten
CalicoKitten

Hi there. I posted on here a few days ago regarding some other questions I have, but now I have a few more...

So, I woke up about 30 minutes ago and went to the bathroom using my walker (I broke my right ankle a little over a week ago, had surgery, in a splint/cast, and am NWB). When I sat down on the toilet (sorry too much info? Lol) I noticed that BOTH of my legs from my lower thigh to my ankle were purplish-red and had white splotches on them. My skin sometimes does that when it’s winter and cold out (I get cold easily) but I’m really not sure why it would happen now? I elevated my legs back in bed again and it seemed to subside. Is that something bad? Has it happened to you? 

Now, moving on to the Yellow Skin part... I got back in bed and elevated my legs, and turned on my flashlight to see if the purplish-red color was gone, but instead noticed that the skin under my cast (that is visible) going back to the skin all the way behind my knee is HIGHLIGHTER yellow... Is it bruising? I tried poking it to see if it hurts and it does in some areas, but not in others. What could this be? 

Sorry, I seem to worry WAY too much about this stuff. 

Thanks! 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Jude1959
    Jude1959 CalicoKitten

    Posted

    That could well be bruising. It does go a horrible yellow colour. Sometimes it is purplish when blood is in their and yellow as it drains out. I would just keep an eye on it and not poke abour too much. You will have an open wound so dont go near that. If it smells or hurts excessively or doesnt improve get it checked. If you are very worried just get it checked for your peace of mind.
  • Dog_liver
    Dog_liver CalicoKitten

    Posted

    Hello! Similar symptoms here. My was yellow, greenish,purple and painful on touch, white splotches too. It got away after few weeks.

    Recovery will be long, be prepared for some difficult time and some painful PT. I'm 3 months after surgery, in cast/splint, no WB yet. Broke 3 bones+dislocation.

    Good luck! Write and post some comments, these messages from other folks, in our shoes ( casts/splints) save my sanity.

    Greatful for them in SFO area.

    It will get better!

  • lora93494
    lora93494 CalicoKitten

    Posted

    Is the yellow color on your from the surgical prep maybe? I just went to my first follow-up appointment since my ankle surgery, my foot looked all red & motors like you described. Hope this helps. 

  • tricia09818
    tricia09818 CalicoKitten

    Posted

    It’s the Betadine prep they cleaned your leg with before surgery. It’s yelliw gold in color. It’ll wash off.
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