Abnormal Wound Healing Pictures from Knee Surgery
This is 7 days post operative. This incision is red, opening at the top and drainage is noted. This is not normal and requires medical attention including a culture sample. This dog licked her incision when the e-collar was removed. Several strains of bacteria were cultured and a higher power antibiotic was required.
For comparison, this is the same dog, opposite leg, healing well at day 7. Minor routine scabbing is noted at the bottom of the incision.
Day 10: this dog licked her incision resulting in a full opening of the wound. A culture was taken and specific antibiotics were started. Plate removal was eventually necessary.
Mild scabbing but relatively normal incisional healing at day 14. No further therapy warranted beyond wearing the cone an additional 5 days.
This is a 14 day recheck. This incision has been licked and so edges are not healing well. Likely a superficial infection. Additional time with e-collar was advised.
This is the opposite knee for comparison. Healing is routine on this knee.
This is a 2 week recheck in a dog that licked the wound. The top of the incision is slightly open, superficially. Additional time with the cone is warranted.
Some wounds are allowed to close on their own, allowing infection to drain out. Rinsing/cold water lavage at home will facilitate the process.
Loss of skin near the incision. This progressed to the open wound in the next slide.
Severe wound breakdown due to infection. This required a surgical wound cleaning and closure. A culture was taken and antibiotics were administered. Eventually the plate was removed.
Excessive scabbing but luckily a dry incision. Sutures are missing from central portion.
This is a classic look of a surgery site that has a deep implant infection. This dog was using the leg well but could not heal the small red lesion (sore) that would open up and drain periodically. In these cases, plate removal is necessary for the patient to clear the infection. After surgical removal of the plate, the dog does well. Rest is required for approximately 4 weeks to allow the bone to heal. Approximately 5-10% of dogs will need the TPLO plate removed.