I had foot surgery 4.5 weeks ago and the stitches were taken out 2.5 weeks ago.
Tonight, now that it is healing and the scabs are begining to flake off, I noticed a bit of a stitch sticking out.
Thinking it was a "bit" left in, I got some tweezers and gently pulled on it. It must be still knotted because it stung a little and then a bit of blood seeped out.
I used a pair of fingernail clippers and tried to "get it", but It's pretty deep I think.
My question, and experience with this before?
I'll call the Dr. on Tues, but what will he do? Cut it out?
Yowch!
Answer:
Often it is just left alone. The amount of suture left is about 1-2 milimeters in length--veyr tiny. It may work its way to the surface %26 out eventually anyway (like a splinter). Unless it really bothers you, cutting it out is fairly invasive (and then you would need another stitch to close it up!). But its up to you %26 the MD how to proceed. I usually counsel to let it be.
Good idea to call the MD. If this one is not going to dissolve, then the MD should remove it. Yep, cut it out.
Make sure you keep the area clean. Cleanse with some antibacterial soap and water. Put some atiseptic ointment on it. I am concerned that you tried to clip it with nail clippers as there are probably all kinds of germs on them. Just make sure if it starts to get red or starts draining you need to go to a walk in clinic. The suture left in may be one that dissolves over time. Sometimes these can take up to 6-8 weeks to dissolve. Call your doctor on Tuesday just to make sure though and keep it clean in the mean time.
Many kinds of stitches are self-deteriorating. They deteriorate overtime... or at least for oral surgery.
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