OpenHealth Q&A

Is It Possible That My Scar Tissue Harbored an Undetectable Abscess?

A 57-year-old woman, standing at 5'2" and weighing 120 pounds, lives with an ileostomy and deals with psoriasis. I’m currently taking antihistamines, vitamins, loperamide, and topical treatments such as calcipotriene and estradiol. Following an abscess drainage and packing procedure last Friday, I am also on antibiotics. In July, I underwent an ileostomy and abdominoperineal resection (APR) due to a small adenocarcinoma located in a difficult area, after having my colon removed in the 1990s due to a high volume of polyps. Towards the end of August, I experienced an infection in the wound where I sit, which necessitated two courses of antibiotics—due to some resistant bacteria found in the initial treatment. Thankfully, after the second round of antibiotics, the infection seemed completely cleared. Despite this, I continued to struggle with discomfort while sitting. It wasn’t until late November that I began pelvic floor physical therapy, which allowed me to keep my sitting time to just two hours a day or less. I had no issue with my physical activity; I could do almost anything as long as I could lie down at night without pain. The physical therapy has focused on alleviating muscle tension and addressing the scar tissue, which has brought me significant relief. During a recent session on Tuesday, my therapist concentrated on loosening a particularly tight area of APR scar tissue situated between my buttocks. By Friday morning, I noticed increased pain, notable swelling, and some itching, which prompted me to make a same-day appointment with a surgeon at the clinic. She promptly drained and packed the abscess. Later that evening, I realized the previously palpable knot of scar tissue that felt like a smooth river rock in that area had dissipated. The day after the procedure, it remained absent, and the discomfort had vastly improved. This transformation makes me question whether the problematic scar tissue had encased an undetected abscess and whether the mobilization techniques employed during therapy might have influenced its development into a more standard abscess. I find this notion intriguing and would like to understand it better for future reference.

Answers (1)

2/8/2026, 5:40:33 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be curious about the relationship between scar tissue and potential abscess formation, especially given your recent experiences. The fact that your discomfort improved dramatically after the abscess was drained suggests that there was indeed a significant issue in that area.

Explanation

Scar tissue can create a dense fibrous area that may not allow for proper drainage or healing, potentially leading to infections. In some instances, scar tissue can trap bacteria or fluids, leading to an abscess, which is a localized collection of pus. It's also possible that the physical therapy techniques used to mobilize the scar tissue may have stimulated the area, increasing blood flow and potentially aggravating any underlying infection, which could contribute to the formation of an abscess.

Next Steps

1. Continue Monitoring Wound: Keep an eye on the site where the abscess was drained. Look for any signs of increased redness, swelling, or discharge, as these may indicate lingering infection.

2. Pain Management: Since you experienced increased pain and discomfort initially, consider discussing effective pain management strategies with your healthcare provider, especially if you continue to have issues in the area after the drainage.

3. Follow Up on Physical Therapy: Communicate any changes in symptoms to your physical therapist. They may need to adjust your treatment plan to help further reduce tension in the pelvic area while being cautious about area inflammation.

4. Hydration & Nutrition: Ensure you're consuming enough fluids and a balanced diet, as proper hydration and nutrition can significantly aid in healing and recovery.

5. Education on Symptoms: Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of infection or complications related to abscesses, so you can act quickly should anything arise.

If you feel comfortable, keeping a record of how your body responds to physical therapy and any subsequent symptoms can provide valuable insight for healthcare providers in the future. If you have further concerns, don't hesitate to discuss them with your healthcare team. They are there to support you through your recovery.