Ask A Doctor - Urgent Care

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Q.
Why is a splint used after an injury?
A.
When a fracture or sprain occurs, it is important to immobilize the injured bone or joint for the dual purpose of maintaining comfort and preventing further injury. Let’s discuss a hypothetical ankle injury. Our x-ray tech will take computerized images of the ankle. These images are viewed by both me and an off-site NY-licensed radiologist. If a broken but stable ankle is seen on the x-ray images, our nursing staff will apply a fibercast splint; the patient will see orthopedics within the next couple days. For sprained ankles, we often place an ace wrap and an ankle stirrup. With simple toe fractures, splinting can be as basic as buddy taping one toe to another.

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Q.
After sustaining a deep laceration is it always necessary to suture the injury?
A.
Superficial cuts do not require stitches, but deeper wounds require adequate closure to prevent infection and to ensure a good cosmetic result. I will typically stitch wounds that are actively bleeding, near joints, or irregular in shape. If a wound has clean edges and is subject to minimal tension, then I will consider using Dermabond, a skin glue. For scalp lacerations, I often use the hair apposition technique: I grab hair strands from each wound edge, make one twist, and then apply a drop or two of Dermabond on the twisted hair to hold the wound edges together. This technique often works better than suturing.

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Q.
I had shingles four years ago - can I get it again, or am I immune? Do I need the vaccine? A.
Shingles is a re-eruption of the chicken pox virus.  A red, bumpy painful rash will occur on a band of skin on one side of the body. Start antiviral treatment within the first 3 days of the rash to decrease the severity if not the duration of the illness.  The shingles rash lasts about 4 weeks; the pain can be for much longer. Yes, shingles can recur at another location.  The vaccine, indicated for most people age 60 and older, has been found to decrease the incidence of Shingles by half.  Because pain from shingles can be quite debilitating, please get vaccinated if you qualify.

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