Wound problem

Posted , 8 users are following.

hi all - my wound was leaking at one week post op , then continued till i had dresssing change last monday . Dressing stayed dry all week , removed it this morning at 4 weeks post op so could have a shower then realised an arc of fluid was coming out of a central point in the wound - rest of the wound is fine and dry. Not painful and doesnt look infected but I wondered if anyone else has had a wound problem like this , and how long it lasted ??

3 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • Posted

    Bini,

    What is leaking?  Blood, clear or a coloured liquid?

    Mine leaked blood for ages the first time around.  He must have put more staples in the second time because it didn't leak at all the second time.

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Hi Bini,

    Do you think it might be that fatty necrosis that one or two people on this forum have mentioned?  Mine is just about dry now (I had my op the same day as you I think), but I know others have had a yellowish fluid leaking from their wounds for some weeks after and it was fatty necrosis.

    Cels x

  • Posted

    Hi Graham , Its clear haemoserous fluid - pink but not cloudy or smelly , obviously been building up all week and removing the dressing was enough to make it come out so forcefully - have redressed it after shower and this evening - still oozing but not as much 
    • Posted

      Thanks anyway Graham , this forum is wonderfully supportive . I have appt with Consultant on Tuesday morning because of the previous leaking , which means I can at least see someone knowledgable . Dont want yo go to A and E again , which I did after the first time ( it leaked a lot!) but the experience was pretty negative ! Its just so depressing when everything else is going well in terms of recovery / mobility etc 
  • Posted

    Hi Cels , dont think its fat necrosis - that usually causes a lump , whhich I havent got ( thank god!) 
    • Posted

      I had clear fluid leaking, no lump and the surgeon said mine was fatty necrosis, good idea to get checked out though.
    • Posted

      Oh ok , thanks for that - helpful to know - did they need to do anything ? How long did it take to clear up ? Xx
    • Posted

      No, he said it was normal, lasted, think it was about a week after I saw him.  I saw the surgeon about 6 days after getting the staples out.
    • Posted

      Still get it checked out, I was told not to take antibiotics either off the doc because if it's an infection they need to know what it is.
  • Posted

    Firstly, hold back on that shower and then phone your home nurse if your doctor. Doesn't sound righr.
    • Posted

      Hi - Ive seen Consultant , he says it just fluid collecting under the skin and should clear up , he is happy its not infected - but has done another blood test just to make sure. Ill see him again in 2 weeks time at which point he hopes it will have stopped . He also agreed I could ditch the TEDS now so a win ! 
    • Posted

      Good news, always best to get checked out for peace of mind if nothing else.biggrin and getting rid of the teds too.
  • Posted

    Hi Bini, 

    Did you have staples? Do you think you pulled the protective scab off? With 2nd THR 2 staples left little open holes that took some time to close ...

    At least it does not look infected or smells so that is good, right - how big is the puncture hole?

    big warm hug

    renee

    p.s. don't worry - we all go in leaps and bounds - does it effect your mobility?

    • Posted

      Hi Renee 

      i had staples when i had the resurfacing op 8 years ago ,they went back in through the old scar ( posterior approach) and used absorbable dutures this time - they still seem to be in place . The wound is about 12 inches long and looks fully healed apary from a pin point bit in the middle which is whete the fluids leaking from , they said when it first started leaking nit yo worry if the fluid was clear , i wasnt feverish , and there was no swelling or redness at the wound site and I dont have any of those dymptoms , just a constant leaking of fluid but no more than a couple of teaspoond a day , apart from the gush I had yesterday morning but I think that had built up over the week and taking the drsssing off maybe removed a little scab or something, which caused it to come out at high pressure .  I,d moved to just paracetamol and i uprofen about 4 days sgo and the whole thing was a bit more uncomfortable so I,ve taken a codeine this morning as well and  am now pain free. Mobility wise I,m good - walking round the house / doing stairs like a normal person and using one crutch outside but can walk 1-2 miles on the flat . I cant get yo see a practice nurse at my GP,s but fo have an appt with Consultant tuesday am early . Im probably 'panicking' over nothing but I had no problems post op the last two times and you just worry fate will get you in the end ! Id also just got out of my trackie bottoms and into my usual clothes but scared I,ll be out with a big wet patch on my thigh - i know these are little things compared to what a lot go through but its my leg and I need to be back at work in 2 weeks time  so am worried if an infection does develop everything will be delayed . 

    • Posted

      Just seen all my spelling mistakes - sorry ! 
    • Posted

      Haha, this site seems to attract spelling mistakes.  I usually make loads!

      It sounds as though, as you say, this fluid had been building up inside.  I bet it was scary seeing it gush out like that.  If there are no signs of infection I wouldn't worry too much.  Tuesday morning will soon be here. I was reading the other day about Manuka Honey dressings.  They're supposed to be fabulous and kill some bacteria that even antiobiotics won't touch.  

      I envy you being back in proper clothes.  I'm still slopping about in sweat pants.  I can get in my leggings, but leggings and TED stockings do not mix.  It's like having a boa constrictor round each leg.  I would love to get into my jeans, but they're all tight and I daren't try.  I have loose summer trousers but it still hasn't warmed up enough for me to try those.

      Let us know how you get on Tuesday Bini.

      Cels xxx 

       

    • Posted

      cheesygrin  I have the same problem (spelling) - it would be nice if there would be some kind of spell check -- or maybe not - who cares, really -

      Well, better safe than sorry - maybe you can keep dressing on for the time being - I did until all the pinpoint holes were closed and scab free - 

      You seem to be doing really well, Bini 

      have a relaxing rest of this Sunday -

      so disappointed in weather - there was apromise of abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures -- not so ... cloudy sky and drizzle

       

    • Posted

      I ditched the TEDs as kept rolling down and causing deep grooves in calves although I'll check that's ok on Tuesday - will let you know how I get on xxxx
    • Posted

      I'm in danger of ditching them too!  They've stretched which you'd think makes them more comfortable to wear, but instead they're just more difficult to get smooth.  Mine wrinkle round my ankles, and I can't reach down to straighten them out.  I've only got 11 more days to go with them, and I keep telling myself just one more day is better than nothing.  I had the injections and the stockings so maybe I'm at a higher risk of DVT.  I'll try to be strong but you'll hear me cheering with relief in 11 days time (if I make it redface) xxx
    • Posted

      Lol, know what you mean - I had the green knee length ones and just ended up with ridges and deep grooves in my legs or with a strangulated big toe and couldnt reach downto fix them - I had injections too but that was standard procedure post op where I got done xx
    • Posted

      Green knee length here too.  Maybe it's standard procedure at my hospital too.  I just assumed everyone was individually risk assessed.  I had injections for 4 weeks and the stockings for 6.  

      My friend had injections after she had a baby!  eek

    • Posted

      Hi - Ive seen Consultant , he says it just fluid collecting under the skin and should clear up , he is happy its not infected - but has done another blood test just to make sure. Ill see him again in 2 weeks time at which point he hopes it will have stopped . He also agreed I could ditch the TEDS now so a win ! 
    • Posted

      Fabulous news Bini.  I imagine the blood test is just as an extra precaution.

      I am >>>this< close to ditching my teds.  the toe part is fraying and now rides halfway up my foot as i walk.  were you originally supposed to wear them for 6 weeks? close="" to="" ditching="" my="" teds.=""  the="" toe="" part="" is="" fraying="" and="" now="" rides="" halfway="" up="" my="" foot="" as="" i="" walk.=""  were="" you="" originally="" supposed="" to="" wear="" them="" for="" 6="">

    • Posted

      I was Cels - as I was walking round the appt centre carrying but not using my crutch he just looked at  them and ' you can ditch those now ' -i admitted I,d gone a few days without them and then panicked and started wearing them again -  as soon as I got home I used scissors to cut them off as couldnt wait for OH to get home tonight ! I,ve kept spare pair for flight socks as we are going to NY at end of May . Not had any phone calls re blood test so presume OK 
    • Posted

      Bini,

      Definitely a big win-win there - you'll feel so much better without the TEDs, they are an instrument of torture, and so glad it's been confirmed that you don't have an infection.

      Best wishes

      Graham - 🚀💃

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