Wound care/dressings

Click on the options below to help guide you:

My dressing is too tight!

If you feel the dressing is too tight, the most common cause is in fact over activity or lack of elevation. A short period of elevation, ice and rest usually relieves this sensation. If it doesn’t resolve and continues to be uncomfortable then contact the office.

If you find you have painful swelling in the calf and/or redness in the calf, shortness of breath or chest pain, you need to go to the emergency department right away. You can call the office to check in but don't let this call delay your care! There is a risk of blood clot in the calf after surgery or injury that can move to your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) so calf pain and swelling needs to be taken seriously.

Can I Shower?
Showers are permitted after surgery provided you cover the area (splint or dressing) adequately and protect it from any and all dampness. This is best done with an impermeable ( no holes!) plastic bag and heavy tape. Typically 2 days after your sutures are removed, you can let the wound get wet just pat it dry. It shouldn't soak in a bath, hot tub or pool until the wound is smooth like a scar and fully healed to avoid the risk of infection.

Am I bleeding?

Occasionally you may see some red or yellow staining on the outer aspect of the dressing. This may look red like blood but it is often just from the time of surgery rather than ongoing bleeding and is typically of no concern. You can wrap a fresh tensor bandage around your splint or dressing. If in the rare occasion you notice it continuing or the stain expanding with time, then please contact the office or seek medical assessment.

I am worried about my wound!

If you've noticed redness or drainage that has persisted for more than one day, or any opening of the wound or fever, you should call Dr. Roberts office. This could be a sign of an infection. She may connect with you virtually or arrange for you to be seen at the first available clinic. If it is over the weekend or a holiday and you are worried, you should attend a walk in or the emergency department.

Click here for Cast/Splint Care Information

AFTER SUTURE/STAPLE REMOVAL

What do I do with these tapes?

After your sutures/stitches have been removed, Steristrips or "butterfly tapes" are typically applied across your wound to keep the tension low and improve healing. These are typically left on for 10-14 days. They are left on for showers, and you can just pat them dry afterwards. If the wound looks quite wet beneath these tapes (yellow or brown drainage), then remove the tapes, pat dry and apply a dry bandage. Otherwise, if they stay clean and dry, these tapes should remain on for 10-14 days at which point please remove them. Once removed, unless otherwise instructed, you do not need a dressing over the wound unless you'd prefer this.

How should I clean my wound?

Overall, "less is more". After your splint has come off, you will be seeing more of your wound. You may notice brown or black scabs along the wound. These are best left alone. Unless instructed otherwise, you can shower 2-3 days after the stitches have been removed. Pat the wounds dry. Do not apply any ointment or cream (including polysporin type topicals) to the wound. This can often make the wounds more wet. The scabs are best left on and dry and will fall off when they are ready. Don't pick these off yourself.

If you are worried your scabs look wet or are weeping, you can start by patting them with some Betadine (iodine based solution) from the pharmacy. Let this air dry for 5 minutes then cover with a clean dry dressing. This keeps things clean and will help dry up the scabs. If you don't see improvement or you're still worried you should contact the office.

Can I use creams on my scar?

Studies tell us that vaseline, specialized scar creams and typical body creams are all equal when it comes to your scar. Dr. Roberts recommends, once healed and smooth with no scabs, you apply your typical cream after a warm shower and massage the scar with it. It takes about 1 year for a scar to declare how pink, raised and thick it will look. The only other thing you can do to reduce scaring is avoid sun exposure. Keep the area covered, or apply sunscreen during the first year.

I am worried about my wound!

If you've noticed redness or drainage that has persisted for more than one day, or any opening of the wound or fever, you should call Dr. Roberts office. This could be a sign of an infection. She may connect with you virtually or arrange for you to be seen at the first available clinic. If it is over the weekend or a holiday and you are worried, you should attend a walk in or the emergency department.

IODINE PROTOCOL

Some post surgical wounds may heal with a scab and take longer than you expect to heal. This can be normal especially for the foot. These scabs are best left to heal and then fall off on their own. It is important to keep them clean and dry. Applying ointments or cream can leave them too moist and lead to problems. If there is concern with your wound, you may have been asked by Dr. Roberts to start an "Iodine protocol".

Iodine/Betadine can be purchased at any pharmacy or surgical supply store. You should only need a small bottle of 100 ml or so, similar to what is shown here.
You will also require some gauze to apply the Betadine to your wound. This can also be found at a pharmacy.
After you shower, pat your wound dry and then apply a generous amount of iodine on some gauze. Let this air dry for about 5 minutes.
Leaving your wound open to air at this point can help it heal. If you have pets around, there is concern for cleanliness or you will be putting your wound in a shoe, then it needs to be covered with a medical grade bandage. Ensure it is a breathable (non-occlusive) dressing so moisture isn't caught within the dressing which can worsen your wound.
Contact Dr. Roberts' office to check in about when your wound should be reassessed or if you have concerns.