Wound healing thoughts?

[whisperit]

I fell over 20 days ago. A younger/healthier person might have gotten away with a nasty bruise, but with my steroid-thinned skin and poor circulation, I ended up with a very bloody gash on my shin. 7 stitches were put in and removed after 14 days. The wound shows no signs of healing and I'm set for a schedule of twice-weekly dressings.

There's no sign of infection atm, and I'm not on antibiotics. There's still quite a haematoma around the wound which is dispersing very slowly. No-one here wil be suprised to learn that no doctor has examined it, and the practice nurses who've done the dressing have no advice to add in relation to steroids or my general health.

Any thoughts, advice, tips would be welcome

Thanks x

[PMRpro]

To be honest - you are probably better with the nurses than a doctor, in the GP practice at least. They are the wound care experts. I'm surprised they removed stiches if it isn't healed - is there any sign of granulation around the scar?

[whisperit in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, fair point re nurse v GP expertise. There's little or no granulation apparent. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of treatments that have been helpful beyond the usual wound care regimes

[PMRpro in reply to whisperit]

The nurses are the ones to ask what they use but medicinal honey and even plain granulated sugar are used for slow to heal wounds.

bbc.com/future/article/2018...

Whether his work got any wider use in the NHS I have no idea,

I think in really severe cases they have used hyperbaric oxygen therapy - but it is a bit difficult to access! Local oxygen therapy has been postulated

link.springer.com/chapter/1...

but again no idea if it was followed up.

[whisperit in reply to PMRpro]

thanks PMR, how interesting that you've suggeted looking into honey too x

[PMRpro in reply to whisperit]

Honey dressings have been in use for a long time.

oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/wp-cont...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/260...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[misty14]

Sorry whisperit to read of your nasty fall and wound healing problems. That must have dented your confidence somewhat too which is such a shame. I'm on similar drugs to you which don't help healing and i've recently had a sbingles lesjon which wouldnt heal. My practice nurse usex a honey dressing which cleared it quickly. Perhaps you could ask about one at your next appt.

I do hope it heals soon awful to have to go twice a week. Xx

[whisperit in reply to misty14]

thats interesting! I'll look into it. Hope you're properly recovered from the shingles now - its a vicious blighter x

[misty14 in reply to whisperit]

Glad you'll research the honey dressing. Like Cutty i also had a wound on my shin a few years ago now and it wasn't healing. Honey transformed that too. I do hope it works for you. Nearly back to normal thanx whisperit, some lesions are reluctant to go but i feel much better in myself and pain is much better. I wouldn't want it again, as you say its a horrid blighter.

I've finally got the answer to my biliary pain. My gallbladder isn't working properly so i'm on the list for it to be removed. Up to a years wait!!.

Do hope your healed soon, keep us posted. Xx

[cuttysark]

I had a very similar wound on my shin after a fall in January and am on a regular considerable steroid dose. It took 10 weeks to heal . It wasn't stitched but had some granulation developed, though no visible sign of infection. They did a swab and it was in fact infected. There was a big improvement to healing once I started the oral antibiotics but needed them for a good few weeks.

From the beginning they used iodine patches next to the wound. I also tried honey but found the iodine better. I was given some to use but also bought a supply from Amazon so I could change the dressing more frequently.

I also bought a plastic boot to use in the bath as had to keep it dry. That helped a lot!

Amazon again!!!

Hope you get it sorted out. xx

[whisperit in reply to cuttysark]

thanks cutty. yes, ive been having iodine dressings too. im using a bin liner around my leg to bath. Possibly not a long term solution! x

[Krazykat26]

I'm sorry to hear you've had a fall whisperit 😔I've had a couple recently but fortunately only bruising 😁It shocked me though! I would say trust the nurse coz nurses are better than docs when it comes to the actual practical stuff..wounds are everyday stuff for nurses. Trust me (former nurse)

Shin injuries are notoriously slow to heal because the skin is thin in that area anyway. Even a healthy/ young person would find it difficult to deal with.

Try not to keep moving about..rest with your injured leg on a stool or a chair. Don't wear long trousers.. shorts if you're able or roll the trouser leg up.

Twice weekly dressings will give it time to heal in between..if it itches take antihistamine such as Piriton..do not scratch it. Hope you see some improvement soon 💜🌈🦋xx

[whisperit in reply to Krazykat26]

thanks, thats good advice x

[happytulip]

Good nutrition is vital for wound healing, as I'd god circulation. Can you do any light lig movements to get the blood flowing? I don't feel that I can add anything else. Good luck!

[whisperit in reply to happytulip]

thanks ht. I'll be working particularly on my Divine blood flow today

[Boeingbabe]

Please ask for honeycomb dressings and start taking arnica pillules to knit together from the inside. Take a revive sachet supplement and indeed, protein is Most important to aid healing. Start on Fortisip drinks with protein if your diet is limited. I am sure you will have success with these measures. In Jesus Name. Amen 🌹

[michaellasmith Administrator]

Hello whisperit,

Apologies for the delayed response.

I am just wondering how you are getting on and if you managed to speak to anyone about your wound healing?

Warm regards,

Michaella

[whisperit in reply to michaellasmith]

Thanks michaellasmith

I've taken on some of the suggestions here, but also need to accept the healing will take a lot longer. I've another re-dressing tomorrow so will have a chat with whoever is doing it then x