Strange appearance of incision site to left hip after FX repair.

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I came on to work not long ago and I have a patient who recently had staples removed from the hip after a surgical repair. The tissue around the incision site is now raised and hard, and the area around it is discolored. There is no drainage. The doctor ordered an ABO and ice packs. Does anyone know anything about this?

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab,Med/Surg, OB/GYN, Ortho, Neuro.

Without being able to see it, first thought that pops in to mind is infection.

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Infection or perhaps keloid formation.

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Specializes in med/surg and Tele.

A few of my friends Keloid, which is strange, because correct me if I am wrong but keloiding is something that occurs to black people rather then white people.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

"A few of my friends Keloid, which is strange, because correct me if I am wrong but keloiding is something that occurs to black people rather then white people."

It can happen in anyone, it's just more common in black people. I'm white and had keloid scarring after a cartilage piercing.

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Specializes in Orthosurgery, Rehab, Homecare.

It could be a normal healing reaction. Sometimes the incisions, especially those with staples, seem like a small ridge. They sometimes also get a red-brownish color immediatly around the incision. These both tend to fade away in a couple of weeks. But, as others said, keep infection in mind too.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Nope I'm about as caucasian as you can get and I have keloids all over my abdomen. My cardiologist who is African American is always tickled when he sees them.

What comes to mind on your patient is perhaps a seroma-blood component which usually resolves with the ice etc.

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