Assessment of Wound Healing
Six days ago, I underwent a procedure to remove a large splinter lodged in my buttock. The cut measures approximately 2 inches deep, and the doctor at urgent care informed me that he placed three internal sutures alongside six external ones to secure the incision. Currently, I am noticing a slow healing process and would appreciate feedback on its condition. I have taken images every 12 hours, starting from 36 hours post-surgery. I am a 42-year-old male, standing at 5'8" and weighing 180 pounds. I do not smoke and have no significant medical history that may be relevant.
Answers (1)
8/10/2025, 3:31:07 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to be concerned about how your wound is healing after the procedure. Healing can vary significantly between individuals and depends on various factors, but there are key signs you can monitor to assess your situation.
Main Points:
- Wound Healing Timeline: Healing usually occurs in stages and can take several weeks, especially for deeper wounds with sutures.
- Observation of Signs: Monitoring for signs of infection or complications is essential as you assess your wound's condition.
Explanation:
The healing process typically involves several stages:
- Inflammatory phase: This occurs right after the surgery and may last a few days, where the wound may appear red, swollen, and slightly warm.
- Proliferative phase: After a few days, new tissue begins to form, and you may notice a reduction in swelling and redness as the granulation tissue develops.
- Maturation phase: This can take several weeks to months, where the wound continues to strengthen and improve in appearance.
Given that you're noticing a "slow healing process," it's essential to evaluate how it compares to expected healing for your type of wound.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor for Symptoms: Keep an eye on the following:
- Increased redness or swelling beyond what you've seen before.
- Any discharge (especially if it's yellow or green, or has an unpleasant odor).
- Fever or increased pain at the site.
- Bleeding or opening of the wound.
-
Take Photos: Since you’re already documenting your wound's condition with photos, continue to do this every 12 hours and critically assess any changes. Compare your current photos to earlier ones for more clarity.
-
Wound Care:
- Keep the area clean and covered as per your doctor’s initial instructions. Change the dressing regularly to keep it dry and free from contaminants.
- Avoid any activities that may strain the wound or cause irritation.
-
Self-Assess Over Time: If you notice any worsening of symptoms, such as those listed above, or if there's no improvement by 10–14 days post-surgery, consider further action.
-
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Your body needs adequate nutrition and hydration to optimize the healing process, so ensure you're eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
If you have any specific concerns or if your condition worsens, reaching out for further support would be the next best step. Your health is important, and it's always better to err on the side of caution.
Related Questions
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.