The Progressive Pligmologist: Case Study February 2026

Thid was a 56 year old female with morbid obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus, who we evaluated for a surgical site dehiscence. She had undergone a right ankle arthrodesis some years prior, and had been seen by her orthopedist after developing a fracture of the hardware. Unfortunately, following return to OR, extraction of the fractured hardware, and suturing of multiple sites, she failed to demonstrate any closure of the site, and on a followup surgical visit suffered significant dehiscence of her surgical sites, with finding of robust slough and soupy necrosis. 

When we first were introduced, she was in a skilled healthcare unit, complaining of severe pain in the site. Over many sessions, we excised this necrosis and debrided her cavity. Wound specific therapy included application of collagen, hydrofera blue classic, and a compressive wrap due to the severe swelling of the surgical site and her underlying lymphedema. Slowly but steadily, her wound filled in, and she has resumed her normal activities.