Lacerations & Suturing

OrthoNOW Helps You When You Need It

You or your loved one got a pretty nasty cut, but how bad is it really? Can you just clean it up and slap on a bandage or is it severe enough that you need medical help? Open wounds are the ultimate “on the fence” medical issue and you may not realize how serious a gash is until it becomes infected.

Many minor lacerations heal without medical intervention. But some injuries require stitches that are essential for proper healing. Deep cuts and abrasions are prone to infection and other complications, and the longer a wound stays open and vulnerable, the greater the risk of infection becomes. Stitches also help reduce the chance of developing scar tissue and speed up the overall healing process.

How can you tell if specific treatment for lacerations may require more than minor treatment at home?

• Bleeding heavily and do not stop after five to 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Deep or longer than 1/2 inch
• Located close to the eye
• Large cuts on the face
• Caused by a puncture wound or dirty or rusty object
• Embedded with debris such as dirt, stones or gravel
• Ragged or have separated edges
• Caused by an animal or human bite
• Excessively painful
• Showing signs of infection such as increased warmth, redness, swelling, or drainage

Also seek medical help if:

• You or your loved one has not had a tetanus vaccination within the past five years, or if you are unsure
• You are concerned about the wound or have any questions

It can be difficult to tell if an injury will require stitches or not – particularly when it comes to our loved ones. While some cuts and lacerations can be easily treated at home, others require medical attention. If you’re uncertain how serious the injury is it’s better to seek immediate expert medical attention. Our onsite clinicians are available on a walk-in basis and prepared to treat you with sutures, and, if needed, X-rays and tetanus shots.