|
So
you're interested in the photos...
If you're squeamish you might wish to skip this page Right leg in an external fixator. This was a temporary item used to immobilize the knee joint until final femur surgery. It's much like a cast except that while things are immobilized we still have access to the leg. Photo courtesy of Tom  So what's going on with the external fixator when the bandages are changed... I just realized - this photo answers a question of mine - "where did the femur pop out". Those stitches aren't from a surgical incision but rather where my femur decided to 'get a tan'. Photos courtesy of Julie  Were you eating lunch??? LOL One difference from the pin sites of this fixator vs the one I had years back - the skin is PULLED against the pin leaving a stretched open wound (ugh). Pins removed, the skin heals quick enough.  External fixator removed. Femur surgery completed. Stitches will be removed in a minute or two.  Cutting & pulling out the stitches - another "good thing" happening. I wanted to do a few myself. The nurse was willing and started to call for another tool set. I said no as I didn't care enough to buy another set of tools. I was planning on borrowing the set she was using.  Stitches out, the skin will continue to get better.  Nurse Julie unwrapping the right heel to evaluate the incisions.  I think she said (from reading the medical records) the incisions were classed as "stab wounds" where they then used a "size two bit". We think that most of the incisions on the sides of the heel were from the clamping / immobilization device used. The incisions at the back of the heel were probably where the three screws were inserted.  A few small spots around the other side. The yellow coloring on the skin is a surgical cleaning solution.  |