Is this incision okay? Trigger warning: minor surgery photo

[Anon341]

I’m 11 days post minor joint surgery.
My stitches are still in and I’m worried my incision is infected as it’s red and tender and a bit throbbing I don’t see a nurse until 14 days for stitch removal.
I’m a bit or a worrier and don’t want a joint infection or terrible scarring. I spoke to a nurse (before I took off the dressing, which was really supposed to stay on for 14 days but was painful and stuck and kind of pulling) who said it was fine unless I had a fever and the redness was visible well beyond the bandage.
I’m not sure whether it’s okay to post a photo?

The nurse hasn’t seen the incision or the photo btw

It’s fine to post a photo as you’ve included a content warning

Here’s the photo:

It’s about 3cm x 3cm

It won’t let me add the photo!

I’ll try again (it’s my hand btw)

To me that looks like bruising rather than the red from an infection. If it spreads, starts seeping or becomes more painful, seek medical attention sooner; but if nothing changes, the nurse is seeing you in a few days anyway and can check it then.

looks fine, there's a bit of bruising and a load of purple from a surgical skin marker.

That’s healing nicely! It’s still bruised and you’ve got some surgical marker, as PP said.

The wound closure is very good, and the bumpy appearance will flatten out when the sutures are removed, as they pull the wound edges tighter than they would naturally sit, which can cause some pain as the sutures are tugging on the healing skin.

14 days is the longer end of the recommended time so it’s fine to wait that long, but the wound is healed enough for them to come out now if you are really uncomfortable. A minor injuries unit could do that for you if there’s one nearby.

I was really shocked at my wound after knee surgery, it was swollen, lumpy and red but I can hardly see the scar now.

Thank you so much for your reassurance, I feel less worried now and will hang on until they take the stitches out.
And from your usernames it sounds as though you might be medical! @FixTheBone @WetBandits

I am a nurse, but my username is completely unrelated - it’s what Harry and Marv call themselves in Home Alone because they leave the taps on when they break in