Injury Inquiry: Finger vs. Hedge Trimmer
**Essential Details:** 38°F, 5'7", 135 lbs, abstains from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Regrettably, I ended up cutting my finger twice with a hedge trimmer this past Tuesday. After being assessed by EMS, they recommended stitches, but in true American fashion, I drove myself to the hospital instead. The X-ray revealed no visible fractures, and I received a tetanus shot along with 7 stitches and a prescription for antibiotics. Unfortunately, during the stitching process, the doctor hit a vein which triggered a strong vasovagal reaction in me. Now, I have several concerns regarding my recovery: 1. Is the healing process appearing to progress normally? 2. I've been experiencing sharp pain in my finger every time I straighten my arm. Could this indicate potential tendon injury? 3. Since receiving the numbing injection—which I needed twice because I nearly fainted after the first round—I’ve experienced a persistent tingling sensation, resembling that feeling when an arm falls asleep, accompanied by some pain across the entirety of my finger. Is this sensation typical during recovery? (For context, I’m able to observe a quick capillary refill at my fingertip). 4. I'm advised to wear the splint for 10 days until my stitches are removed. Should I continue applying bacitracin and maintaining gauze coverage on the wound throughout, or is it advisable to allow it some exposure eventually? 5. When is it safe for me to resume strength training? I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for Monday with a physician's assistant at my primary care provider's office where I’ll pose these questions, but I would appreciate any insights in the meantime. Thanks in advance, and please, exercise caution when using power tools!
Answers (1)
4/4/2025, 7:20:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your concerns following your injury with the hedge trimmer. You've taken important steps by seeking medical attention and following up with care. Let’s address your questions regarding recovery:
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Healing Process: Given that you received stitches and a tetanus shot, your healing should progress well as long as you keep the injury clean and dry. Make sure you monitor for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge.
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Sharp Pain and Potential Tendon Injury: Experiencing sharp pain when moving your arm can indicate inflammation or potential injury to the tendons or surrounding structures. While it's not uncommon to have pain during the recovery of a deep cut, especially if nearby nerves or tendons were affected, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider during your follow-up.
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Tingling Sensation: The tingling sensation you describe may be due to nerve irritation from the injury or swelling. This can happen during recovery but should gradually improve. Observing capillary refill at your fingertip is a good sign, so keep monitoring it, and report any worsening symptoms or persistent tingling to your healthcare provider.
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Wound Care: Continue applying bacitracin and keeping the wound covered with gauze as your healthcare provider advised, especially in the early days after your injury. After a few days, if the stitches are secure and you're not noticing signs of infection, you can allow the wound some exposure to air, but keep it covered during activities to ensure it remains clean.
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Resuming Strength Training: It’s best to wait until your stitches are removed and your follow-up appointment is completed before resuming any strength training. This will give your finger time to heal properly and reduce the risk of further injury.
Next Steps:
- Keep your wound clean and dry, and continue the bacitracin as advised.
- Monitor for any signs of infection and report pain or changes in sensation to your healthcare provider.
- Follow through with your scheduled follow-up appointment to address pain and receive personalized recommendations on your recovery.
I understand this process can be frustrating, but it sounds like you are on the right track. Take care, and I hope you have a speedy recovery!
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