Cuts on the legs

Description

Leg laceration or cuts on the legs. Injury may be simple involving only the skin. But it may be complex with an injury to tendons, nerves and/or blood vessels. In tendon injuries weakness is felt in certain limbs (ankle, foot, toes) and in nerve injuries numbness occurs.

Symptoms

Laceration, bleeding, inability to extend or fold fingers, weakness in feet and toes, numbness of feet and toes.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done and tendon and nerve functions are being tested. Sometimes X-rays image should be done to determine/eliminate presence of foreign body.

Tests

X-rays

Specialists

Urgent Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery

Therapy

Simple injuries are repaired with bandaging whereas open wounds require stitching. More compex injuries may also require treatment of tendons, nerves and/or arteries. Wound on the leg should be repaired within 12 hours in order to prevent infection. While waiting for treatment, the wound can be cleaned with water and covered with gauze or a clean cloth. Pressure on the wound can be applied to stop bleeding. If the bleeding is profuse, you should immediately contact a doctor. A patient might need to receive a tetanus vaccine if he has not received it in last 5 years ago.