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Fracture In Distal Tibia And Fibula, Had Sinus Discharge From Operative Site, Swelling In Ankle. Treated With IV Medication. Worry?
My dad had a bad "open" fracture in distal tibia and fibula on December 2012. He was admitted to the hospital and a surgery was performed and implants fixed in both tibia and fibula. Things went on well for 4 months until he developed cellulitis in mid february 2013. He was admitted to hospital and treated with IV antibiotics for 10 days. He was discharged after successful treatment of cellulits. By March 2013 he had sinus discharge from the operative site and we seeked surgeons advice. He examined and recommended for implant removal quoting the bone had unioned about 70%. the implants were remove and no external fixator was required as the healing and union of the bone was satisfactory. Its been a month or so, the ankle region and foot seems to be swollen. The surgeon says the swelling is quite common post implant exit. Dad is 75 years old and a chronic diabetic. Post implant exit the sugar levels are quite under control between 150-200 range Post prandial and occasional increase to 220 but not more than that. I would like to know if swelling is common and not a sign of worry? There is no sinus discharge and all suture sites and sinus discharge sites have healed well
Wed, 22 May 2013
Hi, thanks for writing. Usually, all compound (Open) fractures carries risk of infection to certain extent. This risk of infection doubles in diabetic patients and holds true for your dad. The reason for persistent swelling of ankle & foot could be multifactorial like
* Simple dependent odema of feet which should usually resolve by keeping legs elevated.
* Damage to the superficial veins owing to multiple surgeries upon the same limb
* Microangiopathy of diabetes
* a mild indolent infection resulting in osteomyelitis.
Hope this helps
* Simple dependent odema of feet which should usually resolve by keeping legs elevated.
* Damage to the superficial veins owing to multiple surgeries upon the same limb
* Microangiopathy of diabetes
* a mild indolent infection resulting in osteomyelitis.
Hope this helps
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