Blisters after surgery

I had a total wrist fusion May 18th 2010. I still can not get the swelling down. I ice it 15 on 15 off. I elevate my arm all day. I take nsaids and nothing. My hand feels like it is going to burst. I have developed two blisters one at the top of incision and one at end. They are under steri-strips. One you can see and has not opened the other one opened and had like some puss come out. I went to my doctors on Friday for wound check but only saw the person who changes dressing. I told her about the puss coming out of blister but she didn't say anything.
I can't move my fingers on own so have been moving them with other hand. oh my hand is very warm also. I can't get in to see doctor till Wednesday what can I do????
I included picture.

[geminigirl1963]

It sounds like you have an infection - you need to be seen by your doctor IMMEDIATELY!!!  This could be as simple as a simple wound infection or could also very well be the begins of a very serious MRSA infection - definitely nothing to mess around with.

My recommendation is to call your doctor's office and demand that you be seen right away.  Tell them that your incision area has blisters that are oozing puss, your hand is very warm to the touch and you are unable to move your fingers.  If they can't or won't get you in soon, and I'm talking TODAY - go to the Emergency Room.

I don't mean to scare you, but believe me, if this IS a case of MRSA, you don't want to postpone treatment - I had a case of it a few years back (the result of an infected IV site from being in the hospital) and I nearly not only lost my hand because of it, but also nearly lost my life.

Please, call your doctor's office RIGHT NOW!!

Keep us posted on how you're doing!

[Rhettsmom07]

I called them and they will see me at 2pm. I feel something is not right. I figured swelling would have gone down a great deal tmorrow will be a week

[geminigirl1963]

I'm so glad to hear that you were able to get into the doctor's office today.  I agree that something doesn't seem right.  You most certainly can expect significant swelling after a surgery like that, but it's really the other symptoms that are concerning to me, however, swelling can be one of the first signs of a MRSA infection, so it's defiitely a good idea to make sure the swelling that you have is "normal".

I meant to ask in my earlier post if you've had any fevers or chills along with the other symptoms?  That also would be a good indicator of some type of infection (although you can have an infection without a fever)

Have you ever had an allergic reaction to an adhesive?  I was just re-reading your original post and noticed you said the blisters are under the steri strips.  An allergic reaction to the adhesive in those strips could possibly explain the blisters, but the fact that they are oozing puss (or at least had some come out when the one broke), doesn't sound like a typical allergic reaction.

Please let me know what the doc has to say after you see them.

[Rhettsmom07]

So I went to the doctors the blister is a fracture blister. Though they did give me antibiotics because of the fever and my hand being warm. Since taking the antibiotics the swelling has gone down a great deal. just need to work on moving my fingers. They actually gave me a splint that isn't so heavy that I can take off and on when I shower. My hand still hurts a bit but mostly at night. Go in next wed to have suturers removed. But just wanted to update you and thank you

[geminigirl1963]

I'm glad you saw the doc and also that they gave you an antibiotic.  Most of all, I'm glad that it seems to be helping.

I've never had a fusion surgery, so I can't tell you what to expect or what your recovery time will be.  I did have a shoulder replacement done almost two years ago so I do know how frustrating it can get when you feel your recovery should be farther along that it is - and also how frustrating the pain can be.  I also have other chronic pain issues and I know that quite often my pain is worse at night, so I think that's pretty typical.  The best advice I can give about that is to try and prop your arm/wrist at night and make it as comfortable as possible.

Hopefully you'll get even more relief once you get your sutures removed next week.  I know after my shoulder surgery, once they took the staples out, even though I was still having a good bit of post-op pain, it still felt better than when the staples were in there.  At least I didn't have all that pinching from them going on.

Thank you for updating me on how you made out at the docs and please keep me posted on how you're doing.  Keep an eye on the swelling, pain, fever, etc., and if you either notice that it's not getting better or starts getting worse (especially after you're done the antibiotics) - don't hesitate to call the docs office again and ask to be seen again.

Best of luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.