Wound has slightly opened and is a bit red, what do I do?

sailrib

Has fusion surgery nearly 5 weeks ago.
I took my removable cast off this morning as last night I was in so much pain.
I noticed that the middle of my wound has slightly opened up and one side of the wound by where it has opened up is red and big but again only slightly.
My wound is not leaking so I am really confused to if I need to get it checked?
I am in quite a bit of pain to which it feel likes it is the wound.
I had my stitches out a week and 4 days ago and they were in for exactly 3 weeks as well, instead of the usual 10 days.

My next appointment is not till 11th November.
Does anyone know what I should do?

Thank you. :sad:

traluvie

I am no doctor but sounds like you may need to ring the GP tomorrow tell secretary situation and they may be able to ask doctor and call you back..
Hope everything is ok..x

daylily

Hi, definately get it checked out, can't be too careful with open wounds.

Hope it is alright, please let us know how you get on
xx

jillyb1

No idea as not a doctor ; but in your shoes , I would go to A & E to get it checked . Once seen by the professionals you will be able to relax and concentrate on resting up to recover . Jillyb

speedalong

Definitely get it checked out, the very last thing you want is an infection.

Are you on meds that interfere with /slow down the healing process?

Speedy

CJHunter

YES YES YES, get it checked out. am no dr either but agree with all.

hope all ok.

Clare xx

vonski

If I was you I would ring Dr. even if just to talk to him or go to A & E. You could always ring NHS direct tonight just to get a medical opinion. I hope you get the all clear.
Love
Vonski x

sailrib

Thanks for all your answers.

Will ring NHS Direct tonight and see what they say, then go from there.

x

elnafinn

Hi Sailrib

You most definitely do not wait until your appointment in November.

I think Vonski's idea of calling NHS direct asap is a good idea. If you would prefer to see someone so that you fully understand what is going on, as I remember you were hard of hearing, perhaps you should go to A&E.

You could call the ward that you were in, and speak to the nurses there too. Just a thought.

The last thing you need is an infection, so it is best to be safe rather than sorry and get medical advice as soon as possible.

Do let us know how you go on.

Elna x

CJHunter

what are you waiting for ........

gentle hug.
C xx

sailrib

Just found a bit of paper that the hospital gave me and it says to contact the Dr 'On Call' outside the normal working hours should a problem arise.

I just going to ring them even though I am worried about wasting their time. I would rather feel happier then end up having an infection.

Yes I have hearing problems but luckily I have a minicom to can ring people via the operator.

Thanks again.
x

stickywicket

sailrib wrote:

I just going to ring them even though I am worried about wasting their time. I would rather feel happier then end up having an infection.

I'm sure they would too, sailrib. I hope all is well.

tjt6768

hope you manage to get through and get something sorted.
Definitely need medical advice with it.. Best of luck

Poppyg1rl

Hi Sailrib,
I hope you got through to the on call Dr, please know we are all thinking of you, sending you gentle hugs () X

julie47

Hi sailrib

I hope the doctor calls to see you tonight and can advise you what to do.

Sending hugs ((((())))))
juliepf x

elnafinn

Hi Sailrib

Just calling in to see if you have been able to contact the Doctor on call and have been helped with your query. Don't worry about thinking you are wasting anyone's time. You are not. There is nothing worse than fretting about something like a wound not healing properly post op and being in pain, especially at the weekend. You were wise to ask your question here and express your concern to us.

Elna x

vonski

Hi Sailrib,
Have you managed to get hold of anyone yet? I hope you've got something sorted out and nothing too serious has happened. We're all waiting to hear.
Love
Vonski x

sailrib

Well, I phone the Dr on call and she was all but useless. She told me to wait and ring the Plaster Room, Monday morning.

I explained to her that my previous operation to my ear, my stitches were taken out and a week later my whole ear opened back up again and flopped down to my neck.

She was not interested as it was only about 1cm of re opening from about a 12cm wound. She said I would be fine until Monday morning.

I checked the wound this morning (after having to remove my cast over night due to the pain and swelling) and it looks cleaner but it is still open and a bit red on one side of the wound.

Drives me mad when you go to a&e or phone a Dr out of hours and all you find is the Doctors are annoyed because it is not life threatening.

When I had the fall just after the operation, I went to a&e and a orthopaedic doctor came from the hospital where I had the operation (only just round the corner form a&e hospital) and quickly checked the wound and xray and said everything was fine. Left me with no dressing on my wound and left me with no cast as well.
When I questioned him to why he was not giving me another cast, he said I do not really need one. In the USA they dont give people casts who have this type of operation. I said well, we are not in USA, he said if you are worried contact the Plaster Room in the morning.
Luckily my brother who is a police officer was driving close to the hospital when I text him saying what has just happened. He came dressed in his police uniform and once they saw him, I got treated correctly.

I am not a happy person but I am smiling x

dreamdaisy

I hope you have made a note of the doctor's name and comments - they were not helpful at all, were they? If it were me I would now trot off to A&E but I am lucky in that my hospital is a short drive away.

Surgical wounds re-opening is not a good thing. Please have it checked, sailrib, please. DD

Poppyg1rl

Good grief Sailrib :eek: I totally agree with you on the A&E thing, my sister works there but even so they had to do 4 different casts on my wrist when it broke as because of my PA arthritis I flared and the swelling nearly cut off my circulation, each time I went back to A&E they just re did the cast, it was only when my Rheumy personally got involved and marched back to the plaster room that they did it properly.
Ring the plaster room Monday, keep the wound covered and clean, BUT if it becomes worse there's no option other than a trip to a&e I'm afraid.
I am sorry Sailrib, what a waste of your time and patience :roll: thinking of you hugs (((((())))) Xxx

elnafinn

It is good that you are smiling, Sailrib even if you do not feel that happy about things.

What is your gut reaction this morning about your wound? You do not sound as worried as you were last night. Do you feel content with waiting until tomorrow morning? If it is not bleeding or oozing and you feel ok about it, I would think that she may be right and that it is ok to wait until the morning. It is only you that can say how you feel about the situation though. If you are going to worry all day, I would phone again or go to A&E but unfortunately you will more than likely have a long wait before you see anyone there.

I am sorry to hear about the treatment you received after your fall post op, again, unfortunately I hear more and more about this sort of thing happening. Good job that your brother's intervention made them jump into some kind of action.

Elna x

sailrib

I dont feel as worried now as it does look okay-ish. Just dont know why my pain has increased. The opening is not getting any bigger which is good.

I think I will be okay until I ring them tomorrow. I will keep an eye out and make sure it is okay.

Thank you so much for all your help. x

elnafinn

It is good to hear that you do not feel as worried about it now, Sailrib. I am not sure why your pain has increased either. As you say, keep an eye on it and would also suggest keeping the wound as clean as possible.

Elna x