Angry, worried, but mostly scared stiff......
Posted , 16 users are following.
Quick recap first, TKR #1 March 6th, TKR #2 October 29th. Making excellent progress with #2, bend now at 95, extension -5 but working hard on it. ROM good, sleeping ok.......
Then a few days ago, I noticed a small area on my incision was looking a bit red and inflamed. I kept a close eye on it, then yesterday there was a small amount of weeping and blood from it. I had physio yesterday, so asked them to have a look. 3 of them looked, and advised me to get it properly checked. I rang my GP surgery, all they had was an appointment with the Practice Nurse, which I took. She had a good look, and decided she wanted a second opinion, so fetched the duty GP out from his consultation. He spent less than a minute looking at it, proclaimed that it was an area that was slow to heal, there was no infection. Great news - although this idiot doctor told me 16 months ago there was nothing wrong with my knees......5 months later I was booked in for TKR.....
Anyway, I digress. Forward to this evening, I rubbed the skin next to the inflamed area as it was a bit sore, and green pus came out of it!
I've cleaned it with salt water, gently dried it, and covered it with a sterile dressing. I've also phoned the Surgical ward I was on for advice, and the lovely nurse told me I need to go back to GP and get them to do a swab to establish if there's anything growing......bloody GP should have done that yesterday!! Of course it's now the weekend, so no GP surgery until Monday....... her advice on that was to monitor it, and if it gets noticeably worse, or more painful, then I am to go to A&E......
So that's me tonight. Terrified that it could be serious, fuming at the Doctor, and willing the night to pass so I can see what tomorrow brings....
Thanks for reading, I know you guys will understand how scared I am just now xx
2 likes, 30 replies
chrishappy terri59470
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terri59470 chrishappy
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patsyrose terri59470
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You've done all of the right things though.
Have you got a local minor injuries clinic that you could go to over the w/e, just to put your mind at rest?
Patsy
terri59470 patsyrose
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Oldfatguy1 terri59470
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terri59470 Oldfatguy1
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Thanks again, I'll make sure to keep everyone up to date.
debz13 terri59470
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I take it you are in the UK? I'm not familiar with the term A&E.
In the USA I would go to either a walk in clinic or hospital emergency room. It certainly sounds like an infection.
Good luck! Glad you are taking care of it in the morning. Hope it gets better soon!
Oldfatguy1 debz13
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debz13 Oldfatguy1
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I thought A&E was like that, thanks.
terri59470 debz13
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Thanks for your good wishes.
Blee83 terri59470
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Yes I can understand why you are worried. If I were you I would contact the hospital, get the surgeons secretary's phone number and contact her re an urgent appointment. I wouldn't take no for an answer. Keep up the cleaning of the wound and covering it as you have to prevent any infection. It could just be an internal dissolvable stitch that has not dissolved fully and worked its way out.
Good luck,
Blee83
terri59470 Blee83
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I've got a pretty good relationship with my Surgeon's secretary, unfortunately she doesn't work Friday's or Mondays - just my luck! If I'm no further on by Tuesday, then I'll be giving her a call.
I'm pretty sure there may be a little stitch in there - all mine were dissolvable, none of the ones which have to be removed. Will have to wait and see what happens.....
cheryl90571 terri59470
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So sorry that this happened to you. I have to agree with the others that a trip to your medical facility is essential, and as soon as possible. Infection is serious business especially since knee replacements were done. You are very observant, and that is a good thing!
Please let us know how things go for you!
Sending prayers of calm, strength, and health your way tonight!
pyesangel terri59470
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jackie78227 terri59470
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