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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Should I Do If I Am Cut On Shin With A Metal Pipe?

yesterday i cut my shin on a metal pipe and we think we saw the bone, although the cut isnt big approx 1 and a half inch and didnt bleed much we are sure we saw the bone, ive been told by a neighbour that the shape of the cut is called a tin can cut but im not sure if she was winding me up. it is swollen and bruised and feels numb, i also get a slight tingling feeling from the cut to my toes. ive bathed it with tcp, dryed it. applied savalon and put a pad on with a bandage to hold it. today i removed the dressing and it still looks like and feels like ive just done it. should i go to a&e or just carry on with the treatment im doing?
Sat, 19 Jul 2014
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Emergency Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi...
1 1/2 inches cut over the leg is not major and noting to worry about.
Normally the shin part is composed of tibia ( shin bone ) covered by skin directly there is not much of subcutaneous ( fat ) tissue or muscles, so even a small cut will expose the bone and will not bleed. But injury with a metal pipe , it is advisable to take inj tetanus toxiod.
Things to do.
Take inj tetanus toxiod.
Continue daily dressing with the same.
Keep the wound clean and dry.
If there is any white/pus discharge from the wound , pain persisting more than 3-4 days, fever, redness around the wound then do visit the hospital.
Since the wound is small, regular clean sterile dressing is adequate, antibiotics is not needed at present.
Thank you.
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What Should I Do If I Am Cut On Shin With A Metal Pipe?

Hi... 1 1/2 inches cut over the leg is not major and noting to worry about. Normally the shin part is composed of tibia ( shin bone ) covered by skin directly there is not much of subcutaneous ( fat ) tissue or muscles, so even a small cut will expose the bone and will not bleed. But injury with a metal pipe , it is advisable to take inj tetanus toxiod. Things to do. Take inj tetanus toxiod. Continue daily dressing with the same. Keep the wound clean and dry. If there is any white/pus discharge from the wound , pain persisting more than 3-4 days, fever, redness around the wound then do visit the hospital. Since the wound is small, regular clean sterile dressing is adequate, antibiotics is not needed at present. Thank you.