In labor and daily activities, scratching the skin on the knee leading to the formation of open wounds is inevitable. So, follow the following article for more details on open knee injuries!
The knee is an important part of the body, with the function of supporting the movement of standing up and sitting down. But if unfortunately the knee has an open wound, how should it be handled? The following article will help you answer this question.
An open wound in the knee is simply understood as an injury that causes the knee skin to tear.
The reason for the open wound in the knee
Some of the causes of open knee injuries include:
- Due to abrasions, abrasions: When the knee is rubbed or slid on a rough surface, an open wound is created. Although, in this case, the wound will bleed less, but it also needs to be cleaned to prevent infection.
- Due to sharp objects: Usually an open wound to the knee caused by sharp objects can cause significant and quite deep bleeding.
- Due to knee surgery: The wound will have a straight line, bleed a lot. It can damage nerves or muscles and requires stitches.
There are many causes of an open knee injury
Is an open wound in the knee dangerous?
Although an open wound in the knee is not life-threatening, if we are subjective, not timely treatment will lead to many dangerous complications as follows:
Wound infection
The most dangerous complication is the risk of an open wound infection . It can happen when you handle the wound improperly (not cleaning, disinfecting daily or not removing foreign objects from the wound,...). Leads to an open wound in the knee that is slow to heal, creating dangerous ulcers and necrosis.
Abscess wound
A deep wound in the knee will form pits of pus that cause them to swell. This condition is called an abscess. Feelings of pain, pain will cover and greatly affect the patient's life.
The wound is necrotic
When open wounds in the knee show signs of infection but are not promptly handled or handled incorrectly, dead tissue cells containing bacteria will increasingly spread and kill nearby tissues. If the necrotic tissue grows deep inside, it can cause the leg to lose its normal function.
Without proper care, the open wound in the knee will become serious
Treating an open wound in the knee
Step 1: Stop the bleeding
You need to use a clean towel, press on the wound to stop the bleeding. In urgent cases, you can use alternative clothes. If the bleeding is rapid and excessive, hold it firmly with your hand until the bleeding stops.
In addition, because blood can flow from the top down through the open wound in the knee, you need to elevate the patient's leg while stopping the bleeding.
Step 2: Remove the foreign body from the wound
In case the open wound on the knee is caused by a sharp object or rubbing on the road surface, you need to remove the foreign object from the wound. This step will make the cleaning more effective.
To do this, you need to prepare the tongs that are pre-sterilized with alcohol. Look closely at the wound to remove the foreign body. If the foreign body is too deep, you should not try to pry it yourself, but need to go to the nearest hospital to ask a doctor for assistance.
Step 3: Clean the wound in the knee
Cleaning is a must to prevent wound infection. You can sprinkle an antiseptic solution on the wound, then use a cotton swab to gently wipe it again. The wound should be cleaned once a day.
Step 4: Bandage, protect the knee wound
If not carefully bandaged, your wound is still at a very high risk of infection due to external factors. Therefore, this step will help the wound be better protected, speeding up the healing process.
Note when dealing with open knee wounds
In addition to the steps to treat wounds on patients and caregivers, some points should also be noted:
- Patients should limit movement and vigorous exercise.
- Avoid wearing tight pants to allow the open knee wound to breathe and heal faster.
- The wound should be treated every day.
- Limit exposure of the wound to water. When bathing should only use water with a little salt added, do not use soap.
- Do not arbitrarily sprinkle any medicine or ingredients on the wound.
- Oral and topical medications of the patient need to be prescribed by a doctor. Use the medicine at the correct dose and regularly as prescribed.
- In case of people with diabetes, it is necessary to regularly check blood sugar for specialized care.
Take care of open wounds according to the doctor's instructions for quick recovery
Thus, we have sent you information regarding an open knee injury . Hope you will be able to apply and treat in the right direction for your wound.