Fracture blisters

Fracture blisters can pose a problem when dealing with trauma. The potential to increase the complication rate, delay surgery, and prolong wound healing are possible sequelae. Edema has to be controlled, however, because the blisters can form in spite of ice, elevation, and compression. They may also appear even after prompt ORIF. High-energy trauma predisposes one to develop fracture blisters. Blisters can be discovered even after closed reduction and at a subsequent cast change. As with all pathologic conditions, the index of suspicion has to be high (Fig. 7).