Managing Foot Stitches After an Injury
Last Saturday, while enjoying a day at the beach, I accidentally stepped on a razor clam, which resulted in a serious injury to my right foot. The cut was quite significant, requiring three deep stitches along with ten more standard stitches, primarily located near my toes. This incident marked my initial experience with stitches, and unfortunately, it couldn't have been in a more challenging area. The doctor who treated me provided minimal guidance, simply instructing me to return for removal in about two to three weeks. Initially, I was advised to take ibuprofen for pain relief, but after waking up the following day in severe discomfort, I sought further assistance and was prescribed Dilaudid, along with Amoxicillin for infection prevention. Currently, I am relying on crutches for mobility. Is it advisable to completely avoid putting weight on my foot until the stitches are removed? I'm concerned about the stitches tearing. The pain has been quite intense — should I consider alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen for better pain management? I’ve been diligent about keeping the wound clean, replacing my gauze and wrap every morning after rinsing it with saline and applying ointment, as advised by the nurse who provided me with the necessary supplies. Any tips or recommendations you might have would be greatly welcomed!
Answers (1)
6/18/2025, 7:50:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've been through a challenging experience with your foot injury and are managing a lot of discomfort and uncertainty. Let’s address your main concerns about weight-bearing on your foot, pain management, and care for your stitches.
Weight-Bearing on Your Foot: After receiving stitches, particularly in a sensitive area like your foot, it is generally advised to avoid putting weight on the injured foot until they are removed. This helps prevent the stitches from tearing and reduces the risk of complications. Continuing to use crutches for mobility is a wise choice at this stage.
Pain Management: You are right to consider better pain management strategies. Alternating between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen can be effective for pain relief, as they work in different ways and can complement each other. Here’s a simple guideline:
- Take ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours (as directed) for inflammation and pain.
- Take Tylenol every 4 to 6 hours (as directed) for pain relief.
- Ensure you do not exceed the maximum daily dosage for either medication.
Always stay aware of how you’re feeling; if you notice any significant change in pain levels or new symptoms (like increased redness, swelling, or pus), that may warrant closer monitoring.
Wound Care Tips:
- Continue to keep the wound clean, as you've been doing. It's wonderful that you are diligent about changing the gauze and using saline.
- After rinsing, instead of applying ointment every day (as it may create moisture that isn't ideal for healing), stick to using a thin layer only if your healthcare provider has recommended it. Otherwise, make sure the site stays dry and covered with the gauze.
- Avoid soaking your foot in water, such as in baths or pools, until the stitches are removed.
Next Steps:
- Continue to use crutches and avoid weight-bearing until your next appointment for stitch removal.
- Manage your pain by alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen as described, paying attention to dosages.
- Keep monitoring the wound for any signs of infection or complications.
- Follow up with your healthcare provider if pain becomes intolerable, or if the wound looks worse, not better.
Taking these steps should help you feel more comfortable as you recover. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or if your situation changes!
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