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Noticed Swelling And Brown Skin Color After Cast Removal From Broken Ankle. Is Lympho Drainage Recommended?
Question: Hi,
My mother, age 80, bad circulation, broke her ankle and just had her cast removed three days ago.
Her foot and part of the lower leg are very swollen, dark brown and hot to the touch.
Would limpho-drainage be recommended? She will be starting exercise therapy next week.
My mother, age 80, bad circulation, broke her ankle and just had her cast removed three days ago.
Her foot and part of the lower leg are very swollen, dark brown and hot to the touch.
Would limpho-drainage be recommended? She will be starting exercise therapy next week.
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting
If I take from your description, the fact that her foot and part of her lower leg being swollen, dark brown and hot to touch.....it will be possible that she is having either a XXXXXXX venous thrombosis (formation of clot in one of her veins of the lower leg) or osteomyelitis (infection/inflammation of the bone and muscles surrounding the fractured ankle) or myositis (infection of the soft tissue area around the ankle fracture). In my opinion, i will discourage massage lympho-drainage and consider going to the ER. We could be dealing with a serious situation here and lympho-drainage with the poor circulation will aggravate the venous thrombosis (aggravate severe pain and problably contribute to a necrotic leg) or if infection worsen the pain. Dark brown does not signify a good prognostic factor. You will need to see the doctor as soon as possible.
Hope this helps and wish you the best
Dr Nsah
Thank you for posting
If I take from your description, the fact that her foot and part of her lower leg being swollen, dark brown and hot to touch.....it will be possible that she is having either a XXXXXXX venous thrombosis (formation of clot in one of her veins of the lower leg) or osteomyelitis (infection/inflammation of the bone and muscles surrounding the fractured ankle) or myositis (infection of the soft tissue area around the ankle fracture). In my opinion, i will discourage massage lympho-drainage and consider going to the ER. We could be dealing with a serious situation here and lympho-drainage with the poor circulation will aggravate the venous thrombosis (aggravate severe pain and problably contribute to a necrotic leg) or if infection worsen the pain. Dark brown does not signify a good prognostic factor. You will need to see the doctor as soon as possible.
Hope this helps and wish you the best
Dr Nsah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, doctor, this does help a lot.
I am not a native English speaker, could you please tell me what an ER is? Is it a special kind of doctor? I will call the hospital immediately but am not sure what specialist to ask for.
Have a good day,
XXXXXXX
I am not a native English speaker, could you please tell me what an ER is? Is it a special kind of doctor? I will call the hospital immediately but am not sure what specialist to ask for.
Have a good day,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX
Sorry, ER = emergency room. You will need to consult with an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist as specialist.
Have a good day.
Dr Nsah
Sorry, ER = emergency room. You will need to consult with an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist as specialist.
Have a good day.
Dr Nsah
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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