Running with a Recent Injury?
I am a 34-year-old female weighing 185 pounds. Earlier today, I had a minor incident while riding my bike. This resulted in a fracture of my middle finger, along with five stitches in the nail bed and tip of the finger. Fortunately, I sustained no other injuries. The urgent care team advised me to keep the stitches dry for the first 24 hours and to avoid submerging them in water until the stitches are removed, which will be in ten days. However, I neglected to inquire about the implications of sweating. I am an avid runner and am currently preparing for an upcoming marathon. If I clean the wound thoroughly post-run, considering I tend to sweat quite a bit, am I still in the clear to resume running? I intend to take a break for a couple of days regardless, provided I’m alright to do so. Are there any additional concerns I should be aware of? They provided me with antibacterial ointment and dressing supplies to change the bandage every few days.
Answers (1)
7/11/2025, 2:11:01 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you’re staying active and looking for ways to maintain your running routine while recovering from your injury. Given your recent fracture and stitches on your finger, it's important to take some precautions while supporting your healing process.
Main Points:
- Limit Running Temporarily: Take a break from running to allow your finger to begin healing.
- Wound Care: Pay special attention to keeping your stitches dry and clean, especially while managing sweat.
- Monitor for Complications: Be aware of any signs of infection or complications.
Explanation:
Your finger injury, while minor, does require some attention, especially since you have stitches. While light activities could potentially be resumed, running can cause increased sweating, which could complicate wound care. The urgent care team’s advice to keep stitches dry for the first 24 hours is crucial. After that, keeping the area clean and dry is key to preventing infections.
Sweating can make maintaining the cleanliness of the wound more challenging. If your stitches get wet or dirtied, it could lead to an increased risk of infection. Moreover, you want to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the injured finger while it’s healing.
Next Steps:
- Take a Break from Running: Give yourself at least 2-3 days to see how the healing progresses and consider low-impact alternatives like walking or light stationary cycling if comfortable.
- Wound Care Management: After each run or if you sweat significantly, make sure to clean the area around your stitches carefully with mild soap and water, avoiding direct contact with the stitches initially. Follow this with your antibacterial ointment as recommended, and re-dress the wound.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Watch for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pus, or fever. If you notice any of these, it's important to address them promptly.
- Stay Hydrated: Maintaining hydration is essential for your overall recovery and can help manage sweat.
If after a few days you feel comfortable and your wound is healing well, you can gradually ease back into running, but continue to protect your finger as needed. Taking these precautions now will help ensure a safe and effective return to your training routine. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further guidance!
Related Questions
Expectorated Large Tissue with Blood
At 28 years old, I experienced a fever the previous night, after which I had no other cold symptoms. To my surprise, today I coughed just once and expelled a significant piece of tissue mixed with blood. Following this alarming incident, I sought medical attention at an urgent care facility because I developed a headache immediately afterward and felt a peculiar "butterfly" sensation in my chest. The healthcare professionals did not conduct any laboratory tests or imaging studies, instead opting to prescribe antibiotics for what they suspected might be an infection. Is this an appropriate response to my situation? This is quite concerning.
Understanding Kidney Pain: Should You Be Concerned?
As a 15-year-old assigned female at birth (AFAB), I've been dealing with acid reflux, although I've been neglecting to take any supplements. I also have scoliosis, which I doubt is linked to my current issue. Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my kidney area, specifically in my back, where my kidneys are situated. My mother suggested that this discomfort might indeed stem from my kidneys. For several months now, I haven't pinpointed the cause. I typically consume about 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily, and occasionally I drink cola, though I've reduced that due to my reflux. I sometimes have peach juice or plain tea, but those drinks have become quite infrequent. Despite my fluid intake, it seems my pain level remains consistent regardless of what I drink. The pain primarily affects my right kidney, but during more intense episodes, I also feel discomfort in my left kidney. I've tried lying down and applying gentle pressure to the area, which provides a bit of relief. Aside from occasional bladder discomfort today, I haven't experienced any additional pain that relates to my kidneys, aside from the persistent back pain from scoliosis and the usual stomach and chest pains from my reflux. Is it necessary for me to consult a doctor about this concern? 🥺 I am hesitant to go unless it's truly serious because I was hospitalized last summer due to undiagnosed tics and twitches—likely anxiety-related—and I spent the entire winter seeing doctors for this issue and my scoliosis. I’m also worried about missing school due to more medical appointments, especially since my doctor has a packed schedule, and I'm uncertain if she would prioritize my concern if it doesn't seem urgent. When I was hospitalized last summer, tests including urine and blood analysis showed no significant issues, so I'm unsure whether this warrants another visit now.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.
Seeking Guidance on Ice Treatment Post-Surgery
I’m a 34-year-old male, weighing 158 pounds and standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. I lead a non-smoking lifestyle, consume three alcoholic drinks weekly, and do not have any known allergies. I'm currently recovering from right hand and wrist surgery, which took place five weeks ago. I need some advice regarding the use of ice for my treatment, as my wrist remains quite swollen. While I understand the advantages of icing, I find the experience quite intolerable. I attempt to immerse my hand and wrist in ice water completely, but the pain is so intense that I can barely last more than 15 seconds. Is this a challenge of mental resilience where I need to push through the discomfort for the sake of a proper 10-minute soak? In the past, I worked with racehorses, and we would apply ice to their legs for 30-minute sessions, significantly accelerating their recovery. I recognize the effectiveness of this method, yet the pain from the cold is unbearable. Should I endure this discomfort for longer periods?
Rash on My Arm: Should I Be Concerned?
Hi there! I’m a 65-year-old female, and for the past four days, I’ve been dealing with a strange rash on my arm. Unfortunately, I can’t visit a healthcare professional until Monday, so I’m hoping to get some clarity in the meantime. I’ll share some images. If they don’t upload here, I’ll post them in the comments instead. The first image, taken last night, is a bit out of focus, but this morning, the rash has appeared even redder. Although it doesn’t itch now, I did experience some itching during the initial two days. As for my health history, I generally don’t have major health concerns apart from elevated cholesterol levels and a recent A1C reading of 5.9, but I do not have diabetes. I keep fairly active for my age group. During the first couple of days, there was some pus, and I managed to clean it with an alcohol wipe, which helped remove it. Could this be related to a spider bite? I noticed some small spiders (specifically daddy long legs) in my bedroom, especially near the balcony door, and I eliminated a few of them today, so that could be a possibility. Should I be wary of any serious complications from this rash? Any advice would be immensely appreciated! My ER co-payment is quite steep, and there’s no urgent care facility nearby. My only option is to request an appointment with my primary care physician next week, but I’m uncertain if it’s something that warrants immediate attention.