ORIF incision not healed after 7 weeks, leaking fluid

I had a small wound also although mine was not leaking. Mine was because part of the incision was on a fracture blister. They couldn't put a cast on me because they sent me to wound care so I had to be in a walking cast with the promise I wouldnt walk on it. I also was not allowed to start walking therapy until it healed. If you decide to do nothing , they did put something on my would called medihoney with a pad on top which really helps with the healing. Ask you pharmacy where you can get it. However, I think I would have wound care look at it just for piece of mind. The healing process for an ankle is bad enough without taking chances on additional problems.

missed your joint fluid comment... i assume you saw that in your google search? What did doc say about that? anyway ...I would not let it go..check it out. good luck

Hi Tom

okay this happened to me. The same side where the long incision is. Bottom half ok, the top half not ok. I was about 8 weeks post p.o. when my scab started to leak yellow fluid. I went back to the hospital where they said It's ok, it isn't infected and they put a water proof dressing over the top with betadine on it, and told me to come back in a week. I went back. The scab came off at the hospital as they were cleaning it. It was all yellow. So they cleaned it up and put a honey dressing on it. This went on for about 3 weeks twice a week. It was dressed and had to keep it dry. Finally I said let's just get some air to the wound as it was healing nicely by then. The nurse said ok. A new,scab had firmed within 24 hrs of it being left open. By 10 days the,scab went black and fell off, wound healed!! Yellow leakage doesn't mean Infection. It just means it's Irritated. But keeping it clean and dry and possibly covered might be a good idea for a,week or two. Now if it gets hot and really red with red streaks going up your leg, then go to the emergency. Keep an eye on it. Keep it clean. Let the water just go over it in the shower, dry off on a clean towel. Put some neospirin on it and cover with a,large bandade. It will heal. It will take time. All the best.

Thanks all!

I saw the doctor and he said it looked like it was healing well and any clear fluid is likely to be from swelling (there is still a lot).

I bought some Medihoney, cleaned with saline ans applied the Medihoney, dried it with a cool hairdryer and it seems to have made great progress so hopefully it is almost healed now.

Thanks again!