Lacerations
No matter the size of the cut, our Walk-In Clinic can evaluate and treat foot and ankle lacerations to help ensure proper healing and prevent further complications.
DPM, FACFAS
What is a Laceration?
A laceration is a cut or puncture in the skin of the foot or ankle caused by an outside object such as broken glass, a dropped tool, or a sharp stick. Some lacerations affect only the surface of the skin, while others go deeper and involve the tendons, nerves, or blood vessels of the foot and ankle. Because these structures sit close to the surface, even a small wound can involve more than it appears to.
Symptoms
A foot or ankle laceration can be very painful. Some signs that there may be a serious injury include but are not limited to:
- Bleeding that is heavy or does not stop with pressure
- Numbness or tingling near or beyond the cut, which can be a sign of nerve injury
- Difficulty moving the toes, foot, or ankle
- A wound that is deep, gaping, or exposes underlying tissue
- Increasing redness, warmth, or swelling, which can signal infection
What can cause a laceration?
Most foot and ankle lacerations come from everyday accidents: stepping on sharp objects, dropped tools, lawn equipment, fishing gear, knives, and animal bites. Walking barefoot, whether indoors or outside, increases the risk considerably.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the depth, location, and cause of the wound. Every laceration needs thorough cleaning to reduce the risk of infection. We may recommend a tetanus booster depending on your vaccination history. Deeper cuts often require sutures, and wounds involving a tendon or nerve may need surgical repair. Outcomes are best when these injuries are treated early, so don't wait.
Visit our Walk-In Clinic to have your laceration evaluated by our doctors and determine the right treatment plan for you.
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Accepted Insurance
No Referral Needed
