Persistent Ankle Wound After Surgery
Hello everyone! Before diving in, I want to make it clear that I'm seeking personal experiences and advice rather than professional medical counsel. **Personal Background/Medical Details:** 19 years old, male, 6 feet tall, approximately 175 pounds, no medications, smoker, history of chronic lateral malleolus fracture on the right ankle (surgery conducted two years ago), healed trimalleolar fracture on the left ankle, ongoing issues with a wound on the right ankle, experiencing pain and delicate skin in that area, and required to wear work boots for my occupation. I am currently facing an ongoing wound issue on my right ankle that has persisted since my surgery roughly two years ago. Initially, I suffered a fracture on the outer side of my right ankle, whereas I had a trimalleolar fracture on my left that has since healed nicely. Unfortunately, the wound on my right ankle has remained problematic. At times, it develops a bubble filled with a gross yellowish fluid mixed with blood that I need to drain, and it tends to leak consistently. The skin around the wound is extremely fragile—in particular, after I shower, it becomes thin and susceptible to tearing. Initially, my doctors advised me to apply iodine to dry out the area followed by a bandage. However, removing the bandage tends to either rip off the skin or retain too much moisture, aggravating the situation. For my job, I am required to wear supportive work boots. However, any pressure or friction on the wound exacerbates the problem. I’ve contemplated creating DIY solutions, such as modifying insoles to cushion the area, but I'm concerned it might lead to infections or increase pressure on the wound. I’ve also discovered ankle sleeves with gel pads designed to cover the wound, and I'm curious if there’s a safe method to pair those with dressings that won’t damage the already delicate skin surrounding it. Has anyone experienced a persistent ankle wound like this? I would greatly appreciate any tips or strategies you’ve used to manage wearing boots or providing ankle support while ensuring safety and comfort. This situation has been ongoing for two years, and I’m eager for any advice that has worked for others in similar circumstances.
Answers (1)
8/17/2025, 7:31:11 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a frustrating and painful situation with your ankle wound. Chronic wounds can be particularly challenging, especially in an area that requires support and is prone to pressure and friction. Here’s a structured approach to managing your situation while being mindful of your needs and concerns.
Main Points:
- Infection Risk & Wound Care: Focus on preventing infection while promoting healing.
- Cushioning & Protection: Find ways to protect the area while accommodating your work requirements.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Consider small adjustments that could improve comfort.
Explanation:
The ongoing wound healing issue on your right ankle, particularly with fluid buildup and fragile skin, suggests that you may be at risk for infection and delayed healing. Proper wound care is crucial in preventing complications and allowing the area to heal effectively. Additionally, wearing work boots that apply pressure or friction to the wound complicates your healing process.
Next Steps:
-
Wound Care Protocol:
- Cleansing: Gently clean the area with saline or mild soap and water daily. Avoid iodine if it irritates.
- Moisture Control: Consider using hydrocolloid dressings, which can maintain a moist environment to promote healing while lowering infection risk. They're designed to absorb excess fluid while protecting the wound.
- Avoid Irritation: When changing dressings, consider using a non-adherent dressing over the wound to minimize trauma to the surrounding skin.
-
Cushioning Solutions:
- Ankle Support: Look into gel pads or silicone-based protectors that can cushion the area without adding too much bulk. Make sure they don’t interact adversely with your dressings.
- Modify Footwear: Try using cushioned insoles or footbeds that relieve pressure on your ankle. Brands that specialize in orthopedic or diabetic footwear may offer more comfort.
-
Monitor for Infection: Watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge. If you notice these, consider seeking prompt attention to prevent further complications.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking can hinder healing; finding ways to reduce or quit may improve your overall health and wound recovery.
- Rest & Elevation: Whenever possible, rest your ankle and keep it elevated to reduce swelling and promote blood flow to the area.
Additional Considerations:
While personal experiences are valuable, it's essential to keep an open dialogue with healthcare professionals who can assess your wound and advise more customized care. If your situation does not improve or worsens, consider seeking a second opinion or a specialist in wound care.
I hope these tips help you manage your ankle wound more effectively and enhance your comfort as you return to work. Let me know if you need more information on any specific aspect!
Related Questions
A Mysterious Illness That Resembles Strep Throat
As an 18-year-old college student, standing at 5'4" and weighing 140 pounds, I maintain an active lifestyle. I do not smoke or have any preexisting health issues, aside from the vitamins and supplements I take daily. Approximately five days ago, I began to feel unusually fatigued and achy. Within just a day, my symptoms escalated to include a high fever reaching between 101°F and 102°F that ibuprofen couldn’t seem to alleviate. I experienced extreme tiredness that kept me bedridden all day, along with a persistent headache and intense throat pain, which was compounded by swollen lymph nodes and the familiar white patches often associated with strep throat. Having dealt with strep throat before, I recognized a need for antibiotics. Two days into feeling unwell, I visited an urgent care facility for an assessment and received a rapid strep test, which unfortunately came back negative. I recalled a previous incident where my rapid strep test also indicated a false negative, only for the culture sent for further testing to confirm the presence of strep bacteria. Given my symptoms and the findings from the examination, the healthcare provider prescribed Cefdinir, as I am allergic to amoxicillin, despite the negative rapid test results. The antibiotics proved effective, and I felt nearly back to normal, leading me to believe that my culture results would also come back positive for strep, suggesting a recurrence of my previous infection. However, I received the culture results yesterday, and to my surprise, they came back negative for strep. While I lack medical expertise, I’ve been led to believe that false negatives in cultures are exceedingly rare. Now, I find myself puzzled about what kind of bacterial infection I might have had if it wasn’t strep. Any insights or information regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Bleeding Concerns with IUD and Yeast Infection Treatment
I’m a 20-year-old female, standing at 5’4” and weighing 155 pounds. Hello everyone! Approximately three weeks ago, I had the Kyleena IUD placed, and everything felt fine afterward—I can still feel the strings. I noticed some mild spotting that was brown for about a week, followed by my menstrual period, then continued with light spotting. Recently, I suspect that I might have developed a yeast infection, which I am currently addressing using Monistat 7. I applied the first dose yesterday. To clarify, I am certain that I am not dealing with a sexually transmitted infection. However, I’ve observed an increase in bleeding, significantly more than what I’ve experienced before. The blood appears to be light red, and I would compare the amount to the lightest day of my period. I could comfortably go an entire day without needing to change my pad, though I still do it for hygiene reasons. Is this a common occurrence? Most of the bleeding took place this morning after I woke up, coinciding with the Monistat cream leaving my body. Under what circumstances should I seek medical advice regarding this issue instead of waiting to see how the treatment progresses?
Chronic Joint Pain Since Childhood
Since I was eight years old, I’ve endured intense and persistent pain in my joints. Initially, the discomfort was primarily in my knees, characterized by a sharp sensation right beneath the kneecap. As someone on the autism spectrum, I often visualize a strange, soothing thought: the idea of removing my kneecap and using an ice cream scoop to relieve the pressure underneath it. My parents sought help from several medical professionals, all of whom attributed my symptoms to growing pains. I even underwent cancer screenings at the age of nine because doctors felt my level of discomfort was excessive for mere growing pains. At school, I frequently had to wear dual knee braces. When I turned 14, I had a CT scan, but the results were inconclusive; doctors continued to insist it was just growing pains. At 18, I had an X-ray that also revealed nothing abnormal. Now at 20, my joint pain persists and is progressively worsening. My hands now ache in addition to my knees, and on particularly bad days, the pain radiates down to my ankles, making walking and sleeping almost impossible for half the week. The discomfort has entirely hindered my ability to work. My family and I strongly suspect that I may have some form of arthritis, but I struggle to convince the medical community of this due to my young age. My father, who suffers from arthritis himself, often empathizes when I express my pain, telling me, "that sounds familiar." I have broken down in front of numerous doctors, pleading for assistance, yet I consistently leave without answers, only to be scheduled for more scans that come back normal. The medical care I have received thus far has been far from satisfactory; for instance, I was prescribed eye drops that nearly resulted in serious damage to my vision when I consulted an eye specialist. This is just one of many frustrating experiences I’ve faced. I feel completely overwhelmed and in agony, and I have no way to reach out for specialized medical help since my only means of transportation is my father, who is also afflicted by arthritis. I feel lost and in deep pain without a clear path forward.
Seeking Guidance on Persistent Chest Discomfort After Extensive Testing
I'm a 43-year-old male, standing at 5'11" and weighing 180 pounds. My journey began around March to April of 2025 when, despite regularly hitting the gym four times a week, I was struck by severe chest pain along with frequent belching and a tight feeling in my diaphragm. At times, the pain became so intense that I feared it might be a heart attack. **Medical History:** In May 2019, I received a diagnosis of **PVS** and have since been under the care of a cardiac electrophysiologist. Upon experiencing these new symptoms, I consulted my EP, who conducted an EKG right then and set me up with a 7-day heart monitor. The results showed no irregularities. Subsequently, I was directed to a cardiologist, who carried out both a **stress test** and an **echocardiogram**, both of which yielded normal findings. Afterward, I returned to my primary care physician, who speculated that my gallbladder might be involved. An **ultrasound** was performed but revealed no issues. I then requested a **chest X-ray**, which also came back normal. My PCP then considered the possibility of a **hiatal hernia** and referred me to a gastroenterologist; unfortunately, that appointment took almost **five months** to materialize. In the meantime, my symptoms persisted, prompting me to cease weightlifting and switch my focus to **cardio and running**. Surprisingly, these activities didn’t exacerbate my symptoms, though the chest pain remained constant. When I finally saw the gastroenterologist, they suggested an **upper endoscopy**, which took another roughly three months to arrange. During this procedure, I was diagnosed with **Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE)**, a condition I had not previously experienced. The doctors also placed a pH monitoring device for acid reflux assessment, which indicated **no unusual acid exposure**. Following this, I began a treatment plan that included a swallowed steroid inhaler and an increased dosage of **omeprazole**. Sixty days later, I underwent another endoscopy, which showed that the EOE had largely resolved, with minimal residual symptoms. Unfortunately, my chest discomfort persisted without any improvement. It has now been about **a year** since these issues emerged, and I still have not found substantial relief. A recent chest MRI completed at a dedicated imaging center revealed no abnormalities. I entertained the idea of **costochondritis**, but again, the MRI did not support that hypothesis. The only minor relief I find comes from consciously pulling my shoulders back and expanding my chest. I continue to experience discomfort around my **diaphragm** and tenderness in the area of the **xiphoid process**. My PCP prescribed a steroid pack, which was somewhat beneficial for the pain but failed to alleviate the pressure or constant discomfort. At this juncture, I feel quite lost and uncertain about my next steps. I would greatly appreciate any insights or experiences from others who have faced similar issues. Additionally, if there are any physicians here willing to offer advice, I am open to traveling to find the answers or relief I'm desperately seeking.
Understanding Mild Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease
I am a 29-year-old female, standing at 5'7" and weighing 130 pounds. Recently, a CT scan revealed that I have mild diverticulitis. About a week ago, I experienced significant discomfort, particularly in the pelvic region, along with pain in my right leg and hip, and some mild discomfort on the left side. After undergoing a CT scan, which confirmed the presence of mild diverticular disease, I was surprised that no one from my medical team provided any follow-up or acknowledged the condition. My blood tests returned normal results, and I was discharged without further information. While the pain subsided after about three days, it has unfortunately reappeared four days later. Is this something I should be worried about? What does this mean for me? I had a colonoscopy around 11 months ago, which indicated no issues.