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Huge Blood Blisters after TKR surgery
I had Knee Total Replacement one year ago. Morning after surgery, I had all different colors of blood blister from knee to ankle. Was told it was from blood pooling. Okay. Treated wounds with Sylvadine ,ZeroForm and sterile dressing. After 6 weeks blisters mostly subsided. One year later, My lower leg is dark red and still blistering on various spots on lower leg. I was told it was a Vascular problem. Wrong. I went to a highly rated Vascular Surgeon, Who ran a multitude of tests. No Vascular problems. Everything is normal. The skin is paper thin around the shin area. Tried wearing Juxtalite wrap as told, but made it worse. Blisters can be seen under skin, and keep breaking open. At a loss what to do next. I asked the Ortho surgeon what could cause this, and was told, "It could be many things". That did not help Me. I'm also having tingling and shocks sporadically from knee down. Has anyone had a similar issue, or what could be the real cause of this ?
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You might try a cream with Vitamin K...I used on my skin and it improved the blood spots. Since your blood pooling is more profound, you might speak with dietician as well. Surgery procedures take a toll on our bodies in ways we never thought would happen. Hang in there. Wishing you all the best with this issue.
Hello @onepoorguy, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @dte and others. I know it has to be terribly frustrating to have problems following a surgery and no one seems to have the answers. I have edema and discoloration of the skin on both of my legs but no blisters like you have experienced but I'm thinking from your description what you have are experiencing is not the same. I'm assuming you only have the blistering on the leg with the knee replacement surgery. I did find a research paper that sounds similar to your experience and might help answer some of your questions.
--- Massive haemorrhagic blister formation following total knee arthroplasty: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946637/
I know your ortho surgeon said it may be many things but didn't seem to have any suggestions. Have you thought about seeking help or a second opinion at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?
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2 ReactionsThank You for Your response. I'm seeing My Dermatologist next week. Maybe I'll get some answers.
Thanks. The Dermatologist I've been seeing for 7 years, might have some answers. In 2017, My Primary doctor at the time, made a very poor diagnoses on My left Temporal area. I'm light skinned, blue eyes and freckles. Prime candidate for skin cancer. Ignoring My Primary doctor, I decided I would go to a dermatologist on My own. Glad I did. The redness and scaly bleeding sores had developed. After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I had surgery by 2 Dermatologist surgeons. It saved My left eye. The cancer was huge by then, they even took pictures of it. It was successful . But it has a high recurrence rate. At 70 years old, I'm nervous when unexplained blisters and redness that does not fully heal, show up.
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2 ReactionsHello @onepoorguy. Have you had a chance to meet with your dermatologist and have you learned anything new about the blisters?
sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing since your knee replacement surgery. It sounds like you've been through a lot, navigating both physical discomfort and uncertainty. Your resilience in seeking answers and exploring different avenues for relief is admirable. Maybe try a dermatologist and neurologist? Praying for you
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1 ReactionThank you Howard. As a matter of fact, I did get in to see My Dermatologist today. In 10 minutes He gave Me the run down on the issue. Something The Orthopedic surgeon never took the time to do. I'm trying this topical ointment He ordered called Clobetasol. I pick it up at the Pharmacy tomorrow. Put on twice a day. He says it should Heal it up. It will still leave some scars, but I expect that. we will see how it works. If it will heal up the blisters, I will be happy.
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1 ReactionI hope this ointment helps. It's just weird that it happened after a TKR, so there appears be cause/effect going on. I've hand both knees replaced, done a ton of research, and never ran across this. I did have some varicose vein problems behind one knee after surgery, but the vein collapsed and is no longer a problem.
It seems like the blood flow to your lower leg was affected. You might want to have a vein specialist do an ultrasound on your calves to see if there are any problems with the underlying veins. Just a thought. All the best to you!
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1 ReactionHi,
I’m 64 years old & had TKR on my right leg. The surgery was unique in that I’m a BKA on same leg.
The TKR went well. I was kept overnight in hospital & following morning they had me Don my prosthetic leg & with the assist of a walker for support a therapist/RN had me do a 200’ - 250’ slow walk. Everything with knee felt good.
6 days later a huge Blood Blister formed on the left side of my knee, followed by another on the right side & directly in the middle of the knee around the kneecap are.
All of the blisters were 3-to-3.5” in diameter. The wounds went through several different phases as they began to heal. Blood Blister- After the Blisters opened up the skin took on a Dark Black color. The wound in the kneecap area made the suture in that area 3-4” split open. However the suture areas directly above & below the kneecap area healed nicely. The wound was actually a Full Thickness tissue wound. On day 12 it got infected & an oral antibiotic was given which quickly stopped the infection.
After 30 days the Black eschar areas turned brown like garden variety Exudate. The Exudate in those mentioned 3 areas each about 3” in diameter & 6-8mm thick. After 4 months the Left & Center Thick Exudate naturally came off. The tissue underneath was/is an open wound with progressive healing granulation tissue. The Exudate on the right side of the knee is still attached with the lower edges coming off.
The Surgery was on 04.01.24 and it’s 08.24.24 today. My surgeon has performed 4000+ TKR surgeries & stated that he had 1 other patient who developed the same situation & it took about 6 months for the wounds to completely close. I’m 1 week away from starting my 6 month. However slow, the wound had positive progressive healing. It’s been treated with a Wound Dressing change every 2-3 days. I’ve received great results using a topical mesh (Adaptic type dressing that’s been infused with Medi-Honey) with 4x4” gauze over the mesh + a 8x10” Absorbent type Pad over the gauze followed by a roll of 4” wide kerlix gauze & a 4” wide Ace bandage.
I’m retired so I’m able keep it elevated a majority of the day. I’m up in my PowerChair seated between 6-9 hours a day. No attempts wearing my prosthetic Leg will made until after the wounds have all closed, where I will begin the Physical Therapy that is normally done weeks after the surgery.
I’ve been diagnosed with [Factor V Liden] & a [Protein “S” deficiency] as well as a heterozygote structure. All causing me numerous DVT’s & Venus insufficiency since age 20 years old.
*I hope this info is helpful & I will make an effort to update my progress after this has healed up & I'm back walking with my prosthetic Leg!
Respectfully,
Lee
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