Is A Partially Open Wound After Removing Stitches On A Knuckle A Concern?
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?
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.
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Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS