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Suggest Treatment For A Wound On The Ankle

Posted on Mon, 12 Jun 2017

Question: I nicked my ankle bone with a dirty shovel yesterday while digging in the yard. Very small wound, 1/4". It did not bleed as it was more of a scraping off the first layer of skin. I hadnt had a tetanus vax in 20 yrs. Got one today, 18 hours after injury, at urgent care. Doc said vax wouldnt be effective in preventing tetanus in my current wound since it eas given after injury, but she didnt seem worried. Does this sound correct? Should I go to ER for immunoglobulin/antitoxin? Its now been 30 hours since injury. Im scared of my risks. I want to be on the safe side. Please help! Photo attached.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You must get immunoglobulin

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query.

Since more than 5 years have elapsed since the last Tetanus toxoid dose, it is compulsory to get the Immunoglobulin injection immediately.There will be protection even after 30 hours,

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (29 minutes later)

It happened Friday evening at 7:00 pm. Can I wait until my regular doctor's office opens Monday morning? Will a general doctor's office have the immuniglibulin vax or does this require a visit to the emergency room?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It won't be with the General Doctor. Go to the ER now

Detailed Answer:
It is advisable to get the injection within 48 hours or closest. There is no guarantee that there will be an Immunoglobulin shot with the General doctor, actually very unlikely.

Do visit the ER and get your shot now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (13 minutes later)

Sorry, one more question. I visited Urgent Care today. They administered a regular tetanus shot. The doctor told me due to how minor my wound was, I did not need to visit ER and they might not give me the immunoglobin since my wound was small and mostly superficial. She said "keep an eye on it". Do you believe she is wrong and I shoukd still go immediately versus following up with my general doc on Monday?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get the Immunoglobulin to be safe

Detailed Answer:
I can understand that the wound was small but it was contaminated due to trauma with the garden shovel. That makes it high risk. I advise you get the Immunoglobulin.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana