Located in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR - Call us: 503-850-9950
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Cuts and Lacerations services offered in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR
Cuts and lacerations are common injuries affecting kids, teenagers, and adults. In fact, more than six million lacerations are treated annually in emergency rooms, costing $3 billion. At Go To Ortho, with locations in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, Oregon, board-certified orthopedic surgeons Steven Madey, MD, Amer Mirza, MD, and the rest of the team treat cuts and lacerations to minimize scarring, speed up healing, and minimize the risk of complications. Schedule an appointment by phone, request one online, or simply walk in today.
What are cuts and lacerations?
Cuts and lacerations puncture the skin’s surface. Cuts are typically minor injuries that cause a separation of connective tissue, but no skin is missing. Lacerations are torn or jagged wounds (usually deeper than cuts) caused by a sharp object.
When should I see a doctor for cuts and lacerations?
If you or your child has a laceration longer than ½ inch or deeper than ¼ inch, have it checked out by the experts at Go To Ortho. These wounds may need sutures, stitches, or staples to heal effectively.
See a provider if you or your child has been bitten by an animal, was punctured by a dirty object, has a cut that won’t stop bleeding, has diabetes, or shows signs of infection (pus, redness, warmth, etc.).
Potential causes of cuts and lacerations include:
- Walking barefoot
- Handling sharp objects (knives, scissors, etc.)
- Falls
- Contact sports
- Physical altercations
- Workplace accidents
- Car accidents
- Working with tools
- Animal scratches or bites
If you’re in doubt about whether or not to seek medical attention for cuts or lacerations, call the Go To Ortho office and speak with a friendly staff member.
Do I need medical care for cuts and lacerations?
The Go To Ortho experts decide if you need stitches to heal effectively from cuts and lacerations. They make treatment determinations based on the depth of the wound, its width, the location of the wound, and if you’re a candidate for a tetanus vaccination. You should receive a tetanus vaccine every 10 years.
Your provider creates a treatment plan based on your specific injury, medical history, and tetanus vaccination history. They examine your wound and discuss how the injury occurred. Your provider may also order on-site X-rays if they suspect a broken bone.
How are cuts and lacerations treated?
Treating cuts and lacerations may include one or more of the following:
- Placing pressure on any bleeding
- Numbing medications
- Antibiotic medicines
- Stitches
- Sutures
- Staples
- Injections
- Wound cleaning
- Removing crusted blood using hydrogen peroxide
- Wound irrigation with saline
- Adhesive medical tape
- Bandaging
- Gauze
- Splints
- Footwear changes
The benefits of effective wound care treatment include less bleeding, faster healing, lower risk of infection, protection of underlying tissues, and less scarring.
See your specialist 1-2 days after treatment (if needed) and when it’s time to have any stitches removed. Keep your wound site clean, avoid unprotected sun exposure, and call the office at any time with questions. Healing may take a week or two.
If you or your child develops cuts and lacerations, schedule an evaluation at Go To Ortho by phone or request one online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.