Ended up with a wound infection one week after sutures were removed. I wish my surgeon would have warned me what to look for- that gunky yellow stuff is called slough and increases risk for infection and can slow wound healing. I didn't know there was an issue as when my sutures were removed steri trips were applied and I couldn't see under them very well. I \*think\* what happened is the area that is infected opened up again after the stitches were removed and then became infected. When the steri strips fell off that area it was obvious something was wrong, then the next day it became hot, redder, and painful. I went to Urgent Care and they started me on antibiotics, took an X-ray (normal thankfully because the infection can spread to the bones or hardware!) and did s culture. Culture came back positive for Staph (not surprising since that's the most common bacteria in skin infections) and the antibiotics that were prescribed will be effective based on the testing. 

I did my own research on how to manage the wound with certain bandages and how to remove some of that yellow stuff and my foot feels SO MUCH BETTER TODAY!!! I worked as a nurse practitioner for 10 years in family practice so this might not be something you want to try at home! I have sterile, disposable instruments and experience with debriding wounds so I felt comfortable with it. Just keep an eye on your feet! 

Infection