Emergency and Urgent Care - Pre-tibial Lacerations

This leaflet contains discharge advice following your attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).

We call the wound on your shin a pre-tibial laceration. It is not like a simple cut and will probably take longer to heal. We usually use paper stitches (Steristrips) on this type of cut because the skin is so thin that we cannot use normal stitches.

We have put a bandage on from your toes to your knee to make sure that the circulation to your leg stays even, so that the cut will heal well. We will have advised you regarding further care – usually you will need to be seen regularly to have your wound checked and re-dressed. This is done at your GP surgery, or by a District Nurse at your home.

You should:

• Keep your bandage on until your next visit
• Walk around as normal
• Keep your foot raised on a stool when you are sitting down – it should be higher than your hip or at the same level.
• Take tablets such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (both available from your chemist) to relieve the pain

You should NOT:

• Get you bandage wet
• Stand still, so don’t do jobs like washing up or ironing until the wound is better
• Remove the dressing

You should contact/return to the A&E Department/UTC you attended if any of the following occur:

• Your leg bleeds a lot, making the bandage very wet
• Your toes become very swollen or discoloured
• It is becoming increasingly painful
• You notice a bad smell coming from the wound

You should arrange for your GP to review you if:

• You are having difficulty managing at home
• You have any other concerns

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious infection which can occasionally get into the body via a wound. It can be prevented by a series of injections.

You are covered against tetanus and do not need a booster today     Yes/No

You have received a booster injection against tetanus today. The same injection also protects you against diphtheria and polio.

You should inform your GP of this     Yes/No

A&E Department:
Fairfield General Hospital – 0161 778 2600