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Suggest Treatment For Swelling And Pain After Injury
Question: I dropped a 30 gallon propane tank on my foot almost a month ago. The top of my foot was peeled back about 2 inches and about 2 1/2 inches wide. It was closed with 24 staples in the ER and I was sent on my way. I had to ask for a tetanus shot even. I had the staples removed two weeks later and my GP prescribed a round of antibiotics as well. I am still having swelling and pain that progresses from mild to quite uncomfortable throughout the day. I had another x-ray last week as a double check and there was no break. How long can I expect pain and swelling to continue? The ER doc last week (that did the second set of x-rays) refused to prescribe any pain mediation because "it was almost a month out and no longer acute."
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Please allow 6 weeks to heal and take pain killers orally or as ointment
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Sorry to hear about the traumatic incident and hope you are not having much of pain and discomfort.
I am a specialist in X ray interpretation and can read through your old and new sets of X rays, should be able to upload your images and attach them to your query.
An injury described as by you requires a healing time of up to 6 weeks and sometimes the tissues under the skin might take a bit longer to heal completely. I appreciate your concern towards your injured foot and that you have been icing it and keeping it elevated when at home. These are methods routinely suggested to patients having an injury similar to the one you had.
As X ray shows only bones and your doctors are sure that there is no fracture then you should be given mild pain relievers to control any pain especially towards the end of the day. I suggest you either take over the counter oral pain killers or use pain reliever sprays or ointments on your foot.
I would also urge you to walk only as much you are able to and not to do forceful movements at the ankle. This will prevent any further complications. Please remember to take oral pain killers after food and discontinue its intake when the pain is less.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please allow 6 weeks to heal and take pain killers orally or as ointment
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Sorry to hear about the traumatic incident and hope you are not having much of pain and discomfort.
I am a specialist in X ray interpretation and can read through your old and new sets of X rays, should be able to upload your images and attach them to your query.
An injury described as by you requires a healing time of up to 6 weeks and sometimes the tissues under the skin might take a bit longer to heal completely. I appreciate your concern towards your injured foot and that you have been icing it and keeping it elevated when at home. These are methods routinely suggested to patients having an injury similar to the one you had.
As X ray shows only bones and your doctors are sure that there is no fracture then you should be given mild pain relievers to control any pain especially towards the end of the day. I suggest you either take over the counter oral pain killers or use pain reliever sprays or ointments on your foot.
I would also urge you to walk only as much you are able to and not to do forceful movements at the ankle. This will prevent any further complications. Please remember to take oral pain killers after food and discontinue its intake when the pain is less.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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