So, a week prior to this past sunday (the 13th), I went fishing with my cousin and gf. After the day was up, we were loading the boat onto the trailer. We couldn't get it lined up perfect so I jumped into the water by the loading dock to help guide the boat on. Like an idiot, i did so without shoes on. I stepped on what was likely a broken bottle and severely injured my foot. We got to the hospital, had it stitched up, and they said that i would need to come back to get the stitches off a week later and needed to have a check up in 48 hours.
I showed up on tuesday the 15th and they said it looked fine and was healing well.
So yesterday, a week and a day after the incident occured, I got the stitches removed. They said the cut is healing very well and that I should be able to start walking on it this week simply to take it easy.
I want to minimize the recovery time and fortunately, with work, am able to take my shoe off/elevate my foot.
My question is, should I leave on a gauge pad and have it wrapped with medical tape to keep the wound shut or leave it open to the air unwrapped?
As I see it, the gauge/medical tape, will keep the wound stay closer together which I assume would allow it to heal faster.
However, I know that air is good for cuts and helps with healing.
So I don't know which way to go here. With the stitches out, the would has really split open a decent bit again. Can someone make a suggestion as to which of the above would be better and any suggestions on how to minimize recovery time needed would be great
I was told that the ER might have screwed up, that they should have used 4.0 stitches rather than 3.0 and that stitches in this part of your bottom typically shoudl be left in for up to 3 weeks. Mine were only in 8 days.
Here is the exact response...
"ok Dude, this is the official "Just listen to me ok?" reply.
First of all, I run into this all the time. Non-specialist providers don't get it, and screw this up all the time. Sutures on the plantar (bottom) of the foot should be left in for THREE weeks. Yes. Typically 21 days, they also used insufficient size on you, most specialists use 3.0 suture on the bottom of the foot. Looks like they used 4.0. Also... plantar foot wounds are typically managed with THREE weeks of Non-weight bearing. The skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are different than the skin elsewhere on the body. They generally don't scar UNLESS you add stress to the tissues by walking on them prematurely. Now, what's the big deal about a scar on the bottom of your foot>? PAIN. Hypertrophic scars,thickened scars are painful. Try getting away from the pain that occurs with each step you take.
So, you wound looks like S^%t right now, it is only partially coapted and needs non-weightbearing if you want it to heal uneventfully. Generally I recommend keeping the wound dry. Avoid neosporin, the allergic potential of that stuff is outrageous. On my derm rotation, they wouldn't even allow it in the clinics. Try Bactroban (Rx only) or bacitracin. Better yet, stay off it and let it scab over.
foot/ankle/leg reconstructive surgeon."
What should i do? I am not sure if the stitches were taken out prematurely. If they were, shoudl I get it restitched? If not, what can i do to help minimize recovery time?
At work, I can keep my shoe off, the wound exposed to air, and my foot elevated to help with healing. Is that the best thing to do?
Also, is there any possibility that this upcoming Saturday, I will be able to walk on it enough to go without the crutches for an evening to attend my girflriends younger sister's 21st birthday crutchless?
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