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Concerns About Healing of Finger Injury
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Bone and Orthopedic Conditions
Question #28188
137 days ago
687

Concerns About Healing of Finger Injury

Client_bf0e21

Hello doctor, I have a question about a finger injury. About 24 days ago I had a cut on my finger on the fingerprint side, close to the joint. The doctor put 3 stitches, and the stitches were removed 10 days after the injury. Now it has been about 13 days since the stitches were removed. Most of the scar line has turned dark brown, but there is a small area in the middle of the wound that looks like a small opening or a part that has not fully closed yet. It is not bleeding and there are no discharge or fluids. This specific area still causes some discomfort, and I feel slight numbness or a strange sensation there. There is no: - bleeding - discharge - significant swelling Is this normal at this stage of healing, or should it be examined again?

How would you describe the discomfort in the area?:

- Intermittent

Have you noticed any changes in the sensation over the past few days?:

- Improved

Have you been following any specific care routine for the wound?:

- No, I haven't done anything
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Doctors' responses

Hello

At 24 days after the injury, what you describe can still be normal healing, especially for a cut on the fingerpad near a joint, where movement can slow complete closure.

A small central opening, dark brown scar line, mild discomfort, and slight numbness can occur during the healing phase. Numbness or altered sensation may happen because small skin nerves were affected, and these can take weeks to months to recover.

Since there is no bleeding, discharge, redness, or significant swelling, it does not strongly suggest infection.

Keep the area clean, moisturized (petroleum jelly or healing ointment), and protected, and try to avoid excessive bending or pressure on the finger for now.

However, it would be advisable to have it checked again by a doctor if the opening does not close in the next 1–2 weeks, becomes red, painful, swollen, or starts discharging, or if the numbness progressively worsens.

I hope this helps. Thank you. Take care.

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Your symptoms are largely in line with normal healing after a stitched finger injury, including the darkening scar and mild intermittent numbness, which can occur as the skin and small nerves recover; however, the presence of a small unhealed opening suggests slight delayed closure, which is usually not serious in the absence of infection signs but should be monitored, and if it does not fully close within the next week or shows any worsening changes, a follow-up examination is advisable.

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Your symptoms sound consistent with normal healing after a sutured cut, especially in areas like the fingertip where healing can be slower and sensation changes (like numbness or tingling) are common due to minor nerve involvement.

A small central area that looks slightly open can happen during healing (Wound Healing Process) and usually closes gradually if there is no redness, discharge, or increasing pain.

However, if the opening does not close in the next 1–2 weeks or if new symptoms develop, it’s best to have it checked by a General Surgeon or doctor for reassurance and proper wound care advice.

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Hello dear See fortunately there is no Bleeding Infection Swelling Loss of function So i think probably the healing is going ina finer way Also since stitches were there so chances of post operative infection stands nil In addition change of colour from red to brown indicates proper serum formation and clot stabilization So in summary healing seems ok. Numbness should subside within 1-2 months Kindly take Zincovit multivitamin therapy onca a day for 1 month Lyser d tablet twice a day for 1 week Also observe if the symptoms worsen within week Right now no need for further evaluation Regards

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It’s relatively common for a healing wound to progress unevenly, especially after stitches are removed. The fact that there’s no bleeding, discharge, or significant swelling is reassuring, as these are often signs of infection or other complications. The small opening you mention could be part of the normal healing process, where new tissue continues to grow underneath before the surface fully closes. However, given your description of discomfort and a strange sensation, there could be slight nerve involvement or localized irritation that might be causing these sensations. It will be prudent to continue monitoring this area closely over the next few days. Keeping the wound clean and moisturized with a gentle emollient can help support healing. If the discomfort persists or the area becomes red, hot, or swollen, it would be wise to seek medical evaluation to rule out any delayed infection or irritation. Numbness or altered sensation could also be transient due to nerve resolution post-injury. If these feelings intensify or don’t improve, a healthcare provider might consider a closer examination to assess for nerve irritation or damage. Applying a cold compress might help reduce irritation if the area becomes bothersome. Avoid putting pressure on the wound or using the finger for heavy tasks in the meantime. If you’re in any doubt about the wound’s healing trajectory, it can be beneficial to consult your doctor, especially if the situation changes or you develop any new symptoms that concern you.

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Hello Thanks for describing your healing process in detail—it really helps!

What you’re experiencing is actually quite common after stitches, especially on fingers where the skin is thick and movement is frequent. Here’s what’s likely happening:

### What’s Normal - Dark brown scar line: This is part of normal healing as the wound matures and the scab or scar tissue forms. - Small area not fully closed: Sometimes, a tiny part of the wound can take longer to close, especially if it’s over a joint or an area that moves a lot. - Mild discomfort/numbness: Nerves can take weeks to months to fully recover after a cut, so some odd sensations are expected.

### When to Worry You should seek a doctor’s review if you notice: - Redness spreading around the wound - Increasing pain or swelling - Pus or any discharge - Fever or feeling unwell

### What You Can Do - Keep the area clean and dry. - Avoid picking at the scab or scar. - Moisturize gently with a mild, fragrance-free cream if the skin feels dry. - Limit excessive movement of the finger if possible, to help the last bit heal.

### Should You See a Doctor? If the opening is very small, not getting bigger, and there are no signs of infection, you can continue to watch it for another week. If it doesn’t close, or if you develop any of the warning signs above, it’s best to get it checked.

Thank you

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Hello, thank you for sharing your concern. Based on what you’ve explained, your wound appears to be healing normally overall.

The fact that there is no bleeding, no discharge, and no significant swelling is reassuring and suggests there is no active infection. Here is my advise-

1. Keep the area clean and dry. Avoid excessive movement or strain on that finger. Do not pick at the healing area.

2. Medications- - Oint. Mupirocin over the affected area twice daily × 7 days. - Petroleum jelly twice daily × 7 days. - Tab. Vitamin C 500mg once daily × 10 days. - Review after 5 days.

3. Get it checked: If the wound does not fully close in the next 5–7 days. If redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge develops. If pain increases instead of improving.

The numbness or unusual sensation should gradually improve over the next few weeks, as nerve healing is slow.

Overall, this looks like a normal healing process, but just continue basic care and observe for complete closure.

Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine

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