Seeking Advice: Ongoing Wound Healing Issues Post-Surgery
I underwent a Haglundectomy on March 25, and initially, the procedure was successful. After the surgery, I was placed in a cast for six weeks, which was removed on May 5, and everything seemed to be healing well. However, on May 10, I began experiencing pain in my ankle, which led to the discovery of an infection. The stitches started to come apart, prompting my healthcare team to take a culture sample. I was prescribed antibiotics, which showed some effectiveness over a week. Subsequently, they applied a vacuum dressing, which was intended to assist with healing for five days. Unfortunately, due to important exams I had to take, the dressing was removed, and although the skin appeared to be closing up, it was not thoroughly connected beneath the surface. After my exams, another vacuum dressing was applied but it yielded no positive results. My doctor opted to restitch the area, providing support for another 21 days. However, upon removing these stitches, it became evident that there was still no proper connection of the skin, and the wound appeared significantly larger than it had at the outset. This situation is causing me considerable distress, particularly as I am only 21 years old and have been unable to walk normally for over three months. I am reaching out for any suggestions or insights, especially since I do not have diabetes or high blood sugar levels.
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 9:20:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're going through a challenging time with your wound healing post-surgery, and your concerns are totally valid. The situation with your wound not healing properly after your Haglundectomy can be frustrating, especially considering the impact it has on your daily life. Here are some important points and actionable steps you can consider:
Main Points:
- Wound Healing Challenges: Ongoing issues with wound healing can be related to several factors, including infection, inadequate blood supply, or mechanical stress on the area.
- Importance of Monitoring and Care: Continued observation and appropriate care are crucial for optimizing healing, especially after the reopening of a wound.
Explanation:
Healing involves several phases, and various factors can impede this process. Infections, tension on the wound, and overall health (even if you don’t have diabetes) can all affect how well and quickly a wound heals. Given your situation in which you experienced pain, signs of infection, and reopening of stitches, it may be a sign that your current care approach needs further fine-tuning.
Next Steps:
-
Maintain a Clean Environment: Keep the wound clean and dry. If instructed, gently clean the area with saline or water, and avoid using any irritants.
-
Limit Movement: Try to minimize any stress on your ankle while it’s healing. Use crutches or a wheelchair if needed to keep weight off the foot.
-
Nutrition for Healing: Focus on nutrition to support wound healing. Ensure you’re consuming adequate protein, vitamins (especially Vitamin C and Zinc), and staying well-hydrated. If you have dietary restrictions, consider speaking to a nutritionist to tailor your nutrition.
-
Follow Up with Your Doctor: Ensure you have frequent follow-ups to monitor the wound and consider discussing options like additional dressings, potential growth factor treatments, or referrals to a wound care specialist.
-
Track Symptoms: Keep a diary of any changes, should you notice increased redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, document these to discuss with your healthcare provider.
-
Mental Well-being: Managing the emotional stress is also essential. Consider speaking to someone about your feelings or seeking support from friends and family during this tough time.
It's crucial to stay engaged with your healthcare team about your concerns, as they can provide tailored advice reflective of your unique situation. Remember to be patient with yourself as you navigate through this healing process. Let me know if you have any other questions or need more specific insights!
Related Questions
Persistent Cough for Several Months
Greetings, everyone! I’m a 27-year-old male, and I’ve been struggling with a lingering cough since early April. This all began after I caught a cold while visiting my father, who was later diagnosed with whooping cough soon after my visit. When I consulted my primary care physician in mid-April, he noted that my lungs sounded clear but recommended a course of antibiotics as a precaution against whooping cough due to my exposure. Although those antibiotics provided some relief for about a week, the cough eventually returned. In June, I sought help at urgent care, where the physician prescribed me a Wixela inhaler to be used twice daily over the course of a month. I am still using this inhaler. The doctor confirmed that my lungs appeared clear and suggested that I was experiencing a post-infectious cough along with reactive airway disease. Now, with only five days left of my inhaler treatment, I don’t feel I’ve made significant progress with my cough. It hasn’t been debilitating; more of a bothersome interruption. Typically, I’ll have a single strong cough and then be fine for a few minutes before needing to cough again. Aside from that, I don’t feel ill and can manage my regular activities without issue. I had asthma as a child, but I haven’t experienced any significant problems until now. I intend to revisit my PCP and ask for a referral to a pulmonologist, but I’m eager to hear if anyone here has insights into what might be causing my persistent cough?
Concern About New Mark on My Daughter's Nose
I am a 33-year-old mother and recently observed an unusual mark on my three-year-old daughter’s nose. This change was first noticed three days ago, and I initially suspected it to be a stain from a marker because of its flat appearance. However, despite attempts to clean it, the mark remains and does not resemble a typical bruise or scrape. There’s no scab present, and as far as I can tell, there are no bumps; though, I recognize that at her age, she may have had a minor fall that went unnoticed. Currently, we are away traveling in an area where access to reliable medical care is limited. Generally, I am not overly anxious about health issues, but the sudden appearance of this mark—especially since I have checked older photos and confirmed it wasn’t there prior—has caused me some concern, particularly given our distance from our regular healthcare providers. I am left wondering if this issue warrants a visit to a pediatrician or dermatologist soon. Does anyone have insights on what this could be and whether it necessitates immediate attention?
Could Applying Bengay to My Testicles Affect My Fertility?
Context: After an intense leg workout, I applied Bengay to soothe my sore muscles. Unfortunately, some of the ointment accidentally touched my testicles, causing a burning sensation that persisted for about five minutes. Although I realize this might be an overreaction, I can’t help but worry whether this incident could impact my fertility. Height: 5'11" Weight: 140 lbs Gender: Male Medications: None at this time Smoking History: Non-smoker Health Background: No relevant previous or current medical conditions. Incident Details: Occurred at home, with discomfort lasting approximately five minutes.
Unexplained Blisters on Infant's Back Since Birth
A male newborn, now 3 months old, was born with distinctive blisters located between his shoulder blades. This unusual condition was noted immediately after birth by two pediatricians, who both remarked on the oddity, as such blisters typically occur on the hands or arms from the infant sucking them in the womb—a scenario that isn't applicable here. Initially, the doctors proposed a tentative diagnosis of "erythema toxicum," which was also confirmed by his official pediatrician during a one-month check-up. However, the information I’ve encountered indicates that this condition typically resolves within a week. Now, at three months, although the blisters have diminished, a significant red area persists and occasionally forms a sizeable blister. Remarkably, there has been no spread of the condition, and the infant appears unbothered by it. We refrain from intentionally popping these blisters, though they tend to rupture on their own within one or two days after they appear. Additionally, all maternal labs have returned negative results on two separate occasions. Swabbing was also performed on the affected area (not on the fluid inside the blisters), but those tests yielded negative results as well. We are currently contemplating the nature of this condition and whether to consult a dermatologist. The pediatrician remains optimistic, suggesting that in time, it may heal spontaneously, yet it seems to have reached a stable stage.
Breast Abscess Concerns Post-Drain Placement
I have a Penrose drain inserted into my breast, and it has been two days since the procedure. I've noticed that when I press on the area of the abscess, it leaves a temporary indentation. Could this be a sign that the abscess is becoming softer, or does it indicate something entirely different?