Emergency and Urgent Care - Pre-Tibial Lacerations

This leaflet contains discharge advice following your attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E).

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 sometimes 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 may just use a simple dressing depending on the size of the wound.

You will be advised regarding your further care – usually you will need to be seen regularly to have your wound checked and re- dressed.

You will be advised how this will happen you may:

• Be referred to the district nurse
• Be brought back to one of our A&E clinics
• Be advised you do not need any further follow up and be provided with written advice on how to care for your wound

You should:

• Keep your bandage on until your next visit or otherwise advised
• Walk around as normal using appropriate footwear
• 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
• Always take medication according to the manufacturer’s instructions

You should NOT:

• Get you bandage wet
• Stand still for long periods, so do not do jobs like washing up or ironing until the wound is better
• Remove the dressing

 You should contact/return to the A&E Department 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
• If you are having difficulty managing at home and you have contacted your GP and they are unable to assist you in any way
• You have any concerns

If you have any concerns please contact the Emergency department for further advice on 0161 627 8926.

The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH.