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Is TOT Advisable When Suffering From Hematoma On Thumb?

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Posted on Sat, 2 Jan 2016
Question: I had a serious contusion/hematoma on my left thumb, my nail fell off, and my thumb is still slightly swollen after three weeks. My thumb is healing but I was told it would take two months to six months to grow a new thumb nail. I am interested in finding a Topical Oxygenation Therapy (TOT, TOPT) system at a nearby clinic to help heal my thumb wound faster. USA government website mentions Topical Oxygenation Therapy for advanced wound care--XXXX
Would this work?--XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need or benefits by using TOT in your case !!!

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician.
I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.

Topical oxygen therapy (TOT) is best suited and advised for the wounds that are chronic, non-healing ulcer in diabetics or patients with blood vessel issues having decreased blood supply to the wounded tissue that are already having pressure dressings on them all the times.

Let me explain you the mechanism of action of these devices like NATROX. They work by creating an oxygen rich environment under a dressing of the open wound that is non healing and is proven to be delayed in healing due to loss of oxygen supplied to the tissues of the wound. The oxygen supplied to the wound tissue by NATROX is absorbed into the tissues and works to increase the local tissue oxygenation.

But the wound area you have is very finely healing up in the natural way. It is not a raw skin area and is not a chronic non-healing wound that had been resistant to other medical therapies for long time. It will not get external oxygen benefits due to least absorption of the oxygen in the wound skin that is already almost healed up with no raw area at large.

So, I don't recommend you to go for this option of TOT.

Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).


Regards!
DR. HANIF

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (46 hours later)
On the Natrox topical oxygenation website video, it does not state that the wound has to be critical, but offers faster healing of wounds, especially for diabetics. I am wondering how my wound can faster heal. After three weeks my thumb is healing, but is still swollen, and my thumbnail, I was told by doctors would take 2 months to six months to regrow. Are there any other products on the market that promote faster healing? This is year 2015, if I wanted to buy a TV set, I would not go and buy a 1950s TV set model. What is there that is updated on the market to help faster wound healing? I find this important so that I can fully resume my daily activities as soon as possible.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Here are some guidelines for faster healing of your wound !!!

Detailed Answer:
Warm Welcomes once again with follow up query. Happy to assist you with the doubts you have in this follow up query. I can well understand the frustration you have from this uneasiness of the slow healing process of your wound and slow growth of nail all due to diabetes and other factors. I feel sorry for that you are still unable to restore your normal daily life.

Actually the thumbnails of diabetics grow at a speed of 1.75-2.25mm/month. If there is a bad glycemic control, this speed decreases much. Inflammation slows the process much as in your case. You can see the inflammation that is still there at the nail bed and whole thumb. Advancing age, Diet and nutrition also affects. So in this way if everything goes fine and inflammation is controlled in a timely fashion then in 2 months nail grows 4mm and in 6 months 12mm (and this is when the nail has come out of the nail bed and is outside growth of nail).

Natrox has to sell their product so they have to attract a lot more customers (actually needing the product or not). So, they will never give the facts your Physician can give you. Yes, you may ask as a confirmation from your treating Physician regarding the same issue. He may have a better advice after thorough evaluation and Physical examination of thumb.

Ways to expedite the healing:-
**An ideal blood sugar level (please keep an eye on that. Your medications, diet and exercise).
**Relieving the inflammation (Consult your treating Physician to add Topical Anti-inflammatory; Oral and/or Topical Steroid ointments).
**Removing the debris/necrotic tissue on regular basis for faster healing is necessary.
**Diet rich in Vit. C, Zinc containing Multivitamins and proteins (eggs, seafood and dairy products).

Hope I answered all of your concerns. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. Please give your 'rating' (if agreed, Five Stars) to help assist patients in a better way; and, don't forget to click on 'Close The Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).

Regards!
DR. HANIF
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Hanif

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 2369 Questions

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Is TOT Advisable When Suffering From Hematoma On Thumb?

Brief Answer: No need or benefits by using TOT in your case !!! Detailed Answer: Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician. I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems. Topical oxygen therapy (TOT) is best suited and advised for the wounds that are chronic, non-healing ulcer in diabetics or patients with blood vessel issues having decreased blood supply to the wounded tissue that are already having pressure dressings on them all the times. Let me explain you the mechanism of action of these devices like NATROX. They work by creating an oxygen rich environment under a dressing of the open wound that is non healing and is proven to be delayed in healing due to loss of oxygen supplied to the tissues of the wound. The oxygen supplied to the wound tissue by NATROX is absorbed into the tissues and works to increase the local tissue oxygenation. But the wound area you have is very finely healing up in the natural way. It is not a raw skin area and is not a chronic non-healing wound that had been resistant to other medical therapies for long time. It will not get external oxygen benefits due to least absorption of the oxygen in the wound skin that is already almost healed up with no raw area at large. So, I don't recommend you to go for this option of TOT. Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time). Regards! DR. HANIF