11 weeks, and an infection in my scar
Hi All,
Another 2 weeks has flown by since my last blog. Time is going fast in some ways, and slow in others . . . Hope everyone is hanging in OK, I think about you often . . . due to computer problems I’ve been missing the blog for awhile.
I’m 11 weeks post-op now, and have had an open area mid scar, about 1cm long, since the beginning. I am having problems with the dissolvable sutures my Doc used under the removable sutures - some of them aren’t dissolving. At the top of my incision I ended up having one suture dug out two days ago - it was close enough to the surface to easily get at with some local freezing. That area is now healing. Unfortunately I think I must have another suture stuck further under my open area. I can’t see it - but it must be what is causing my lack of healing. 2 days ago, the open area started to get bigger and have some discharge, and the area all around the middle of my incision was sore and red. I am now on antibiotics for 14 days. I am trying to be patient. If it’s not better next week - I think I will have to call my surgeon for a visit. He discharged me from his care after my 6 week post-op visit.
I have to admit that as much as I have been trying to only allow myself to be positive about this experience, I am feeling down today. My PT is slowed, because she can’t work the scar now, and I am having to push myself to practice my stretches. I am still swelling a fair bit as well. On a positive note, my mobility in my ankle is improving, and my limp is slowly getting to be less. I know I am still lucky to have this very minor problem, as some of you are going through much worse problems than this - so I am sorry to be whining! I just can’t wait to have this healed up, and get to the end of this marathon. Some moments this experience must feel like an Ultra marathon for those of you going through re-ruptures and bigger infections.
I am looking forward to my T-shirt arriving - thanks again Dennis for this site - it is a constant source of comfort and a great place to safely vent.
Have a great summer weekend everyone!
Jen
July 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Don’t beat yourself up for being down, it happens. I just try to accept my mood at the time for what it is, knowing I will look back on this all as a memory some day. I know I have felt bad for being down at times when others are experiencing worse. I have also felt down because others have done better than me (the overwhelming feeling being ‘what the hell is wrong with me?’). There is an emotional danger in comparing yourself to others, especially since most of us are competitive by nature. You don’t get ATR from sitting on the couch! I have to remind myself recovery is not a competition, but an individual journey. We are all individuals and have our own experience with this injury. Besides, if you can’t vent to people who understand, good or bad, then what good is the blog anyway?
My T-shirt is on the way too!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi Jen - I am at 11 weeks 1 day today. I am still wearing my boot, and shoes around the house and office, with little walking allowed. Still 3 weeks before he will send me to PT. My limp (when I do walk in a shoe) is pronounced. Shoes hurt my foot, and it swells by day end. Ugh. I am telling you all this because I am hoping it will make you feel a little better - you are so far ahead of me, even with the infection. I hope that this is really just a temporary set back for you. During all this, remember, the tendon itself is continuing to heal.
Keep us posted, those drugs should do their magic soon.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Just a quick note: I talked to a Physicians Assistant yesterday, and he said to continue to wear the soccer/compression sock. I whined and said, “um, that doesn’t look very cute with shorts.” He said to go to Walmart/Target and buy a cheap elastic ankle “brace”. It will still look OK with shorts but will help to keep the swelling down. Picking one up tomorrow…i’ll let you know.
damacar
July 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
jen - I hope you are feeling better today. There are several folks on this site who’ve experienced similar healing issues, so it might be helpful for you to reach out to them. By the way, I love the picture on the top of your blog. Was that a default picture or did you change it? It’s very nice!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi Jen, my doctor used dissolvable sutures as well. I’m only 3wks PostOp. How did you know there was a problem since I assume the dissolvable sutures are under the skin.
Keep posting, it really helps those of us further back know what to watch out for.
Kevin
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for your responses - each one of you has helped! I am doing better the last few days - the antibiotics are helping. For the first time since I have been in shoes I can push all around my incision line with no pain. The open area mid scar is still there, but I think it is healing from the bottom up. Kevin - at my 6 week post-op visit the ortho tech told me to watch for a few of them as my scar was lumpy, purple, firm and tender at the top, and I found a piece of one in the open area mid scar (they are white and soft, not black and wirey like the removable kind). I was told that they don’t always dissolve as there is low blood flow to the area. If your scar heals - you should be fine.
Dennis - the picture at the top of my blog was a default picture. I live near the Rocky Mountains, and the picture above looks like it does here when I drive into the Rockies. It’s beautiful!
Take care,
Jen
August 6th, 2012 at 12:18 am
Jen it will be 11 week tomorrow. I was doing great till friday morning. I woke up with what looked like a blood blister on my scar, red and hot to touch. Went to urgent care first words out of Dr. mouth, that is fron an undissolved suture. Put me on Keflex for 10 days. Friday night the “blister broke and it has been draining ever since. The foot is very swollen. I will be back on phone to my Dr. in the morning. I am 67 and I have already gone through a 3 week infection after surgery that required IV antibiotics. I assumed once I had a nice scar all would be well. I am trying to stay positive also but I am very down tonight. All my friends are praying so tomorrow should be better.
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