We do not want you to bend your knee completely while the meniscus is healing. Bending the knee, even without your weight on it, can cause it to tear again. For this reason we put your leg in a knee immobilizer to help protect the meniscus.
How long does a stitched knee take to heal?
stitches over joints, such as your knees or elbows – you’ll need to return after 10 to 14 days.
How do knee stitches heal?
After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
How long should you keep stitches covered?
You may need to cover your stitches with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Do not bump or hit the suture area. This could open the wound. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches.
Do knee stitches hurt?
You might feel some tugging, but it shouldn’t be painful. It takes less time to remove them than it does to put them in.
How do you tell if stitches are healing properly?
First, here are signs your wound is healing properly
There may be some swelling, pain, redness and clear discharge, but Dr. Gordillo says that’s OK as long as it’s not too much and doesn’t last more than a week. As the wound starts to heal, new tissue will start to grow over the wound.
Do stitches hurt as they heal?
It is normal to feel pain at the incision site. The pain decreases as the wound heals. Most of the pain and soreness where the skin was cut should go away by the time the stitches or staples are removed. Soreness and pain from deeper tissues may last another week or two.
Is it better to keep stitches covered or uncovered?
A: Airing out most wounds isn’t beneficial because wounds need moisture to heal. Leaving a wound uncovered may dry out new surface cells, which can increase pain or slow the healing process. Most wound treatments or coverings promote a moist — but not overly wet — wound surface.
Can I exercise with stitches?
Avoid vigorous physical activity while the stitches are in place – this includes heavy lifting, running, and other sporting activities. Avoid activities that pull or stretch on the area with stitches. Do not put the stitches completely under water – this means no swimming and no bathing in a bath.
When can I shower after stitches?
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?
A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.
How do you sleep with stitches?
If your skin procedure was on 1 of your arms or legs, sleep with that body part raised above the level of your heart. You can do this by resting your arm or leg on pillows. Ask your nurse if you need to avoid lying on your wound or putting any pressure on it for the first 48 hours.
When should you stop covering a wound?
Leaving a wound uncovered helps it stay dry and helps it heal. If the wound isn’t in an area that will get dirty or be rubbed by clothing, you don’t have to cover it.
Can I exercise with stitches in my knee?
Light activities like walking are usually fine when recovering, and shouldn’t affect your wound healing. However, strenuous activities like heavy lifting should be avoided. For at least the first week after surgery, you should try not to get your heart rate up.
Can a wound reopened after stitches are removed?
Wound reopening: If sutures are removed too early, or if excessive force is applied to the wound area, the wound can reopen. The doctor may restitch the wound or allow the wound to close by itself naturally to lessen the chances of infection.
How long do stitches take to dissolve?
The time it takes for dissolvable or absorbable stitches to disappear can vary. Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely. Some may last for several months.