Potential Necrosis Following Foot Injury from Fridge Accident
On July 5th, my husband, aged 46, sustained an injury to his foot when a refrigerator toppled over, trapping his foot between the dolly and the ground. Almost immediately, a hematoma formed, but there was no visible break in the skin at that time. We promptly sought emergency care where X-rays and a CT scan revealed no fractures. By July 8th, he was referred to an orthopedic specialist to investigate a possible Lisfranc injury; fortunately, this was later excluded. During the assessment, the physician noted significant swelling, making it difficult to evaluate any potential tissue damage accurately. She applied an Unna boot and scheduled follow-up for the following week. At his next appointment on July 15th, the doctor observed signs of infection in his foot and prescribed antibiotics, advising him to return later in the week to reapply the Unna boot. On July 18th, despite the infection showing signs of improvement, concerns arose regarding persistent swelling. Consequently, an MRI was ordered. The imaging, conducted on July 22nd, revealed a large fluid accumulation on his foot, but no structural injuries. During a follow-up consultation on July 31st, he had lost the large blood blister that had formed shortly after the injury. This development allowed for a clearer view of the wound, revealing a darkened area roughly 1 by 2 inches in size beneath the former blister. The physician now expressed worry about the appearance of the wound and scheduled another visit for August 7th, suggesting a referral to a wound care specialist may be necessary if healing does not occur by then. When I changed his dressings this evening, a foul odor became apparent after I unwrapped the bandage, prompting me to conduct some quick online research that suggests this could signify a serious issue. Is it advisable for him to wait until the scheduled appointment for further evaluation? I believe we should visit a walk-in clinic tomorrow, but he feels he can hold off until the follow-up. 46 years old, male, 5'10, weighing 200 lbs.
Answers (1)
8/2/2025, 2:50:45 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your husband's foot injury, especially given the signs of infection and the current changes to the wound's appearance. Persistent swelling, a foul odor, and darkened skin can indicate a serious issue, such as necrosis or deeper infection, which may require prompt attention.
Explanation
- Injury Timeline: It appears your husband suffered a significant injury, leading to ongoing swelling, infection, and now changes in the wound beneath a previously formed blood blister.
- Current Symptoms: The foul odor is particularly concerning as it can indicate bacterial infection or necrosis, which requires immediate medical intervention.
- Monitoring Signs: While some swelling is expected, the presence of a foul smell and darkened tissue suggests potential complications that shouldn't be ignored.
Next Steps
- Immediate Evaluation: It would be wise to visit a walk-in clinic or emergency room as soon as possible. This will allow the healthcare team to assess the wound in person, possibly initiate further treatment (e.g., debridement), and adjust antibiotic therapy if necessary.
- Dressings and Care: Until you can get to a clinic, keep the area clean and dry. Continue changing the dressing regularly, and observe for any worsening symptoms such as increased redness, warmth, or swelling.
- Monitor Systemic Symptoms: Keep an eye on any signs of systemic infection, such as fever, chills, or increased pain, and seek immediate care if these occur.
Your concerns are valid, and timely evaluation is crucial to preventing more severe complications. It's best not to wait until the planned appointment if there are new or worsening symptoms. Please ensure he receives medical attention as soon as possible.
Related Questions
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.