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Is A Partially Open Wound After Removing Stitches On A Knuckle A Concern?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jun 2016
Question: Is my knuckle wound reopened?

Yesterday I got two stitches in my knuckle removed (they were in for about 10 days -- my wound was covered for the entire 10 days that the stitches were in). The doctor removed the stitches and put a bandage over the knuckle. He said to remove the bandage the next day (today), which I did. I noticed that the wound does not really look like it is closed. It does not bleed (the blood on the pictures is old blood), but does not look closed. I am being relatively careful with my knuckle and cannot really bend my finger more than maybe 40-50%.

How shall I treat this moving forward? Should I just keep it as it is? Should I cover it again with a bandage or gauze?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukund Savaskar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Partially gaped wound Right MIP knuckle joint/ Under Evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Brief Ans-Partially gaped wound Right MIP knuckle joint/ Under Evaluation

Hi Dear !! Thanks for your query to HCM Virtual Clinic.
Read your query facts and reviewed it with your updated pictures.
My Impression-
On review of the pictures-In My opinion-No, the knuckle wound is not reopened
But the knuckle wound is partially gaped,mostly from the movements which you had done in last 10 days,
My Comments on wound status-
and One Sided( 2 stitches on the left end of the avulsed skin flap) stitching which kept the upper edge of the avulsed skin flap-gaped up still.
So this is not re-opened wound but a partially gaped and hence partially healed Knuckle wound.
Prognosis-
As it is knuckle wound on the MIP joint(Middle Inter Phalangeal Joint) with resultant upper gaped but partially healed wound, it would take another 1-2 week for complete healing with dried scarred skin over it.

Do's Suggested-
You would need Imperbeable (Bioclusive dressings)ready to use OTC- dressings with medicated gauge for 1 week or 2.
Tab Zincovit 1 x 2 weeks.
Tab Motrin 400 mg x 1 to 1.5 weeks- to improve healing and recoup swelling and mobility of MIP joint in 2-4 weeks time.
Check with Hemoglobin with your doctor and if need be take
Fefol Zinc-Spansule- for 1 mth/
and High Protein bland diet for better and early recovery.

Future progress and complete normalization time-

It takes 3-4 weeks routinely to have normal range of movements due to inflamed tissue around knuckles to come down to normal.
Once the wound heals in 1-2 weeks time, you can have warm water fomentation to improve finger movements.

Hope this reply would satisfy you and help you to deal this wound with help of your attending doctor there.

Welcome for any further query in this regard.

If need be, update any health issue 24 x 7 by a direct question to ME, at following HCM link-
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=70229

Dear,if satisfied with this reply, Don't forget to close this query with YOUR pleasing feedback comments to rate this reply and service, to boost the morale of incoming Emergency patients like YOU, at HCM services.

If you want to update more details and ask more update queries ,
You are most Welcome herewith !!

Good Day!!

Wishing Good Healthy Life in time to come!!

Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukund Savaskar

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 3606 Questions

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Is A Partially Open Wound After Removing Stitches On A Knuckle A Concern?

Brief Answer: Partially gaped wound Right MIP knuckle joint/ Under Evaluation Detailed Answer: Brief Ans-Partially gaped wound Right MIP knuckle joint/ Under Evaluation Hi Dear !! Thanks for your query to HCM Virtual Clinic. Read your query facts and reviewed it with your updated pictures. My Impression- On review of the pictures-In My opinion-No, the knuckle wound is not reopened But the knuckle wound is partially gaped,mostly from the movements which you had done in last 10 days, My Comments on wound status- and One Sided( 2 stitches on the left end of the avulsed skin flap) stitching which kept the upper edge of the avulsed skin flap-gaped up still. So this is not re-opened wound but a partially gaped and hence partially healed Knuckle wound. Prognosis- As it is knuckle wound on the MIP joint(Middle Inter Phalangeal Joint) with resultant upper gaped but partially healed wound, it would take another 1-2 week for complete healing with dried scarred skin over it. Do's Suggested- You would need Imperbeable (Bioclusive dressings)ready to use OTC- dressings with medicated gauge for 1 week or 2. Tab Zincovit 1 x 2 weeks. Tab Motrin 400 mg x 1 to 1.5 weeks- to improve healing and recoup swelling and mobility of MIP joint in 2-4 weeks time. Check with Hemoglobin with your doctor and if need be take Fefol Zinc-Spansule- for 1 mth/ and High Protein bland diet for better and early recovery. Future progress and complete normalization time- It takes 3-4 weeks routinely to have normal range of movements due to inflamed tissue around knuckles to come down to normal. Once the wound heals in 1-2 weeks time, you can have warm water fomentation to improve finger movements. Hope this reply would satisfy you and help you to deal this wound with help of your attending doctor there. Welcome for any further query in this regard. If need be, update any health issue 24 x 7 by a direct question to ME, at following HCM link- http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=70229 Dear,if satisfied with this reply, Don't forget to close this query with YOUR pleasing feedback comments to rate this reply and service, to boost the morale of incoming Emergency patients like YOU, at HCM services. If you want to update more details and ask more update queries , You are most Welcome herewith !! Good Day!! Wishing Good Healthy Life in time to come!! Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist M.S.Genl-CVTS