Swelling After Your Surgery?
After any surgical procedure, especially orthopedic surgeries treating a sports injury, swelling is expected. Swelling or edema is the body’s natural healing response to trauma, no matter how small. Surgery often requires the disruption of skin and tissue along with blood loss. Almost immediately, the immune system floods the area with excess fluid and white blood cells, kickstarting inflammation. These changes help repair the damage and protect against infection. While swelling is natural and expected, sometimes the swelling can be far from normal. Knowing what is normal and what signals a problem helps patients heal within the expected timeline. Identifying red flags, in particular, is essential for patients to get prompt treatment and reduce the risk of complications.
What’s considered normal?
After a surgical procedure, for instance, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the incisions are closed with sutures and wrapped in bandages. Swelling starts almost immediately with additional fluid entering the area where the tissue trauma occurred. This swelling should peak within 48-72 hours after the procedure, then slowly begin to subside. Depending on the type of surgery and the size of the injury, swelling gradually reduces over several weeks. Along with swelling, pain, warmth, tenderness, and fullness are signs of natural swelling. The skin can also feel tight around the surgical site, with mild bruising. The surgical team will inform the patient of these issues and simple techniques to address swelling immediately and in the long term.
Is there a problem?
Sometimes, post-surgical swelling does not go as expected, signaling a potential problem. A common warning sign is significant redness and swelling. The skin feels hot to the touch, and the warmth radiates away from the surgical site. This can be a sign of a surgical site infection. If the swelling and hot sensations are accompanied by yellow discharge, high fever, and chills, an abscess may be forming. The patient may also have a systemic infection. Sometimes, the skin around the surgical site can form an indentation that stays when pressed. The skin also looks extremely tight and shiny. This can indicate severe fluid retention or lymphatic disruption. The most concerning sign is rapid swelling within hours of surgery, especially in a limb away from the surgical site. This can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or similar severe surgical complication that needs immediate attention.
What should you do?
A medical professional or the surgical team should review the key signs and symptoms immediately. Remember the instructions about caring for swelling. If unusual symptoms appear, contact the surgeon who performed the procedure. Explain the issue and follow all instructions. Avoid pressing, compressing, or massaging any surgical site. If a blood clot is present, massaging can dislodge the clot into the bloodstream. Note when the abnormal swelling, redness, heat, or other symptoms appeared. Use an at-home thermometer to track body temperature. Provide all details to the medical team. If the symptoms are concerning, do not wait for an appointment. Go to the nearest emergency room. Explain the surgery performed and symptoms, especially systemic infection symptoms like fever or difficulty breathing.
Take severe swelling seriously
After surgery, swelling is a natural part of healing. In most cases, the area gradually swells, then subsides. In normal circumstances, there is mild pain and tightness that improves within 1-2 weeks. While caring for the wound and preparing for recovery, look for abnormal symptoms of post-surgical swelling. From rapid, significant swelling to severe fever and a yellow discharge, seek advice immediately. The medical team can provide additional support or recommend an immediate visit to emergency services. When swelling is managed effectively, patients can get the maximum benefits of surgery.
