Surgical wound infection (pics included, a bit Yuk) Sporners may enjoy.

[MegGriffin]

I had back surgery 3 weeks ago today, stiches out 1 week ago today. Wound was sore both ends and top getting worse. I went to the nurse who squeezed it, said there was a hole and dressed it. I was prescribed antibiotics 4 times a day but told it was up to me if I wanted to take them as may get better without. I wasnt sure what to do but because the pain was increasing and I felt out of sorts I decided to start taking them. Today there was a real burning pain so I peeled back dressing to have a look. My question is, particularly to a medical professional, should I get Dh to squeeze it and what should I look out for. The nurse didnt seem too worried but I feel nervous having a hole going in to my back. Any comments welcome, thanks. before and after pictures included.

She did say it was infected.

Did they swab it? I'd get it checked again to be on the safe side. Did they leave you with dressings? You have an inadine square on it at the moment I'm assuming under a dry dressing. I wouldn't squeeze it though (and I am a sporner :) )

Thanks Ellicam. I don't think she swabbed it. She said she wasn't worried about it but as they drill in to you about post op infection when you are in hospital and what to look out for I feel a bit paranoid despite trusting the nurses experience. I have been given another dressing to replace it with but I assume it is without iodine. She said some stitch may have been left in the hole but understsndibly didnt want to go poking aroubd for it.

Was it dissolvable stitches?

The iodine would be a little yellow square, the name on the packet would be something like inadine.

Is it weeping a lot? Does it feel warm?

They were removable stitches but there were dissolvable ones underneath. It was a disc surgery. It is a bit warm. I think it may be weeping a bit looking at the iodene thing but because it's covered (and incredibly hard to see as it's on my back) I don't know how much. I'm relying on my dd taking pictures for me. The new dressing I have is just the pink padded one. I don't have an iodine one as well. I don't know how I know if it's getting worse. I don't feel too pad except there is more wound pain and I have an increase in my sciatic pain again.

Go back! This happened t me three years ago after surgery and I left it. A week later it exploded - literally all over the bathroom pus and blood and I was rushed back and on horrible antibiotics for three days. I don't want to.sound alarmist but please get it looked at again

Like now!

Definitely get checked, purely to avoid needing to see the OOH doctor or A&E over Christmas, which would be grim.

Take your antibiotics and get it seen by your GP/PN tomorrow. Don't squeeze it as you Rick introducing more infection/damaging the surrounding tissue. Clean it with freshly drwn tap water or cooled boiled water and some cloth and put a dressing on overnight.
If your pain increases, or you feel feverish, then call your GP now if they are still open, or OOH service/Walk in Centre.

risk, who the feck is Rick?

Thanks for the advice and replies. I had it swabbed and it is infected by staph aureus? Im on my second round of anti biotics. It is much less pussey but the nurse said there may be a stich or something in there but could not get at it easily. Im seeing my consultsnt for a post op follow up 21st Jan and she said keep it covered until then with gauze.