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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Treatment Is Needed For The Increasing Swelling And Redness Around The Leg Due To Fall ?

My dad fell about 10 days ago. He had alot of bruising and swelling. Hospital tests showed no breaks or blood clots( he is on blood thinner.) They told him to elevate it and use ice, but gave him no medicine. The bruising started going away, but he still has swelling and redness and the leg feels warm. He went back to the doctor on Monday. They told him to continue the elevation and ice, but still no medicine. When the swelling, redness and warmth of the leg had not improved, I took him back to the doctor yesterday. They called it cellulitis. They gave him a shot of antibiotics and a prescription for cephalexin (to start taking today). I have been measuring his leg in about the same spot everyday and it has been about 14 inches around at that spot (including this morning) I measured it about a half hour ago and it is now 14 and 3/4 in that spot.The redness has also increased. Do I need to take him back to the hospital or give the antibiotics more time? Thanks.
posted on Tue, 8 Jul 2014
Twitter Tue, 26 May 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 27 May 2015 Last reviewed on
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Dear patient
Your father has got rapidly spreading cellulitis possibly with abscess formation. He needs urgent attention as swelling is rapidly increasing. Take him urgently to hospital and get him admitted. He needs course of intravenous antibiotics and ultrasound of local part to rule out abscess formation. If abscess is seen under ultrasound incision and drainage is must. Do not take more time and shift him to hospital. All the best.
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What Treatment Is Needed For The Increasing Swelling And Redness Around The Leg Due To Fall ?

Dear patient Your father has got rapidly spreading cellulitis possibly with abscess formation. He needs urgent attention as swelling is rapidly increasing. Take him urgently to hospital and get him admitted. He needs course of intravenous antibiotics and ultrasound of local part to rule out abscess formation. If abscess is seen under ultrasound incision and drainage is must. Do not take more time and shift him to hospital. All the best.