My Son Needed Stitches

[michboro]

My 8 yr old son fell and hurt his forehead on the tv cabinet, and had to get 4 stitches last night at the emergency room. They said that he should not play sports for 10 days. I mentioned that he was supposed to be in a soccer tournament next Sat. which would only be 7 days, and they said that I could check with his pediatrician the day before and see what he says. He was really looking forward to playing in the tournament, but I don't want to take any chances. Has anyone had experience with the healing time for stitches?
Now he's upset about all of the restrictions- no gym or recess at school, no playing baseball or kickball outside with his friends and no soccer.

 

[wdwmom2]

We usually remove sutures in the 5 - 7 day mark. Just depends on where the stitches are and how bad the laceration was. Sometimes they need to stay in a little longer. Ask your ped, he/she will give you the best advice.

 

[Hannathy]

I am a little confused about the restrictions, Did he have a mild concussion? I don't ever remember discharging a child with such strict restrictions for sutures especially in the head ( not over a moving area) I think the no recess for the whole week is excessive. My Son broke his nose and didn't even have to not have recess. I would call your usual Dr. It sounds to me like the Hospital Lawyers got a hold of those discharge papers. Always remember that ER's don't know the patients and have to give broad cover everything directions so I would just call your DR. and let them review it and decide. Who will be taking out the sutures? They could also give an oppinion about playing. 5-7 is tthe usual time esp. for kids they heal quickly.

 

[michboro]

The cut was on his lower forehead in the area between his eyebrows. They used the type of stitches that dissolve on their own, and don't need to be removed. He didn't have any type of concussion or other major injuries. The ER Dr. said that the cut wasn't that deep but stitches would be the best option as fas as healing and to minimize scarring. He and the nurse said no sports because it could cause the wound to open up if anything hit it. The reason they said no recess was because he usually plays tag and they said if someone tapped his wound it would affect the healing.

 

[michboro]

Message Deleted.
Accidental Double Post.

 

[Stacerita]

The sweetpea took a softball to the cheek during warmups for a tournament over labor day weekend. She ended up getting 5 stitches. She was told no games, no practice, no nothing till they were taken out. Its to help avoid having the area re-injured and affect the healing. If you son took a soccer ball to the same spot, it could split it open and cause an even bigger problem.

The sweetpea listened to the doc and did not play, but went back to the field to support the team. Maybe we should not have done that since when she went to get the stitches removed, it wasn't healing like it was supposed to. So the doc then told her no being on the field, no sun, and no to be where there is so much dirt. Very concerned with infection. And that restriction was for two weeks. She had already missed one week for the first visit. I ended up dropping her from the team. Wasn't fair to ask the coach to keep her starting position when she was out 3 weeks for that injury and then we were heading for WDW for another 2. Didnt matter though, she broke her leg two days after we got home so she was out anyway.

When you DS goes back for the recheck see what the pediatrician says. If he gives the go ahead to play then go for it. But if the doc doesnt think its a good idea, then don't. You dont want to risk anything I'm sure.

Good luck!

 

[PlutoPony]

This doesn't answer your question but one thing to remember is that the area will be healed with new skin that's VERY sensitive to sunlight. When DS had stitches in his head we were told to keep putting sunscreen on it religiously for like 2 years or we'd be risking serious sunburn. So if your son does play in the tournament you might want to cover the area with a band-aid or gauze since it might be still be too sensitive for sunscreen.