Infection from a stitch

[dovcar2000]

I had surgery for TLKR 7 weeks ago and from the start the bottom of the incision seemed a bit red and sore.
That area now has become redder and it looks to have a little black spot in the centre.. (a bit like a pimple)
My physio says it looks like an inner dissolverable stitch working its way out.
I am wondering if I should go and see my surgeon of just let it be.
I am afraid of it infecting my whole incision..
Thanks for your advice...Carol

 

[JackieS]

An inner stitch working its way out through the incision is quite common. I had one. I would recommend you have your OS or other medical professional remove it with sterile tools. My OS just plucked mine out -- it was sticking out about an eighth of an inch. Infection is rare, but you want it taken care of right. Mine looked slightly infected before it broke the skin, but healed within a day of being removed by my OS.

--Jackie
LTKR 5/14/08

 

[dovcar2000]

Thanks Jackie for the advice...I will follow through on it tomorrow. Carol

 

[Josephine]

That would be my advice as well. But infected stitches are not uncommon. They usually stay superficial.

 

[dovcar2000]

Hi Everyone....just to let you know I went to the hospital this am for my PT and she looked at it and decided we best get my surgeon to have a look. He called it an STITCH ABCESS and he removed it. It hurt a bit and left a bit of a whole so for the next few days I cannot shower as he put a big bandage over it. It it is no better on Fri. then I must go and see him again.
So thank you to everyone for all your good solid advise. Carol