Stitches

[Merl]

Hi, this question is for the "Injury" caeforum.xxxory - thanks.

I have a client who has just had her stitches taken out of a small 3" area on her back. She said they were removed 2 days before she came to see me. She was ok with the idea of me massaging the spot - but I told her we should wait.
How long should I wait before I even touch that spot? I avoided the area...but I was really nervous about it!! She was cool with it and sched again for two weeks later.
Thanks,
S

 

[nas88car 300 nice race #9]

Stiches

S,
I would wait for at least a couple of weeks. Since you didn't say what the sutures were for, it's probably better to err on the side of caution.
I have a female client who has had several incisions for lipomas, skin cancer, etc. and her doc suggested at least a month.
I would avoid the area until it's healed.
Cheers,
rubmyster

 

[Blinkie]

I usually just do light pressure on the area - not light pressure MASSAGE.....static pressure.

Like just lay my full palm over the area and gently hold it still and calmly - sometimes just having the oil, and the touch is all that is needed on a newer injury site.

Also - when she goes for a check have a doctor sign off on it if you can - just to CYA.

Be very careful of doing work NEAR the area as well - if you are really moving the skin and fascia around you could tear the stiched site open without even putting any force right on the injured area.

I hate leaving any part of the body out of the sensation of being touched and found just simply just HOLDING can be powerful for the client.

Angela

 

[Davycrop]

Thanks to both of you!! I feel better about what I need to do. I asked her to push back her aptmnt another week...and she is going to get an "OK" from her MD before I see her again.
Thanks again
S

 

[Krish K]

Thanks to both of you!! I feel better about what I need to do. I asked her to push back her aptmnt another week...and she is going to get an "OK" from her MD before I see her again.
Thanks again
S

I have two forms I use for these types of situations:
1-Physician RELEASE form which basically just says I'm going to give this client a massage - sign here that it is ok.
2-Physician detailed form which says I know this client is under your care for X,Y, and Z. Is there any special form of massage or focus you want me to focus on?

Angela

 

[soul on fire]

The sutures she had removed were only her skin sutures. There is at least one more level of suture material at the site. We usually close incisions with 2-3 levels. The sub - Q sutures are very important.
Having no idea what she had repaired I cannot know which suture material was used.
Widely used is a suture Vicryl from J&J ( and its "cousins" from other manufacturers). It is an absorbable suture. It is complete anywhere from 90-128 days.
I would not be massageing the incision site this early.
Outside of a month and WITH Dr's approval, I would proceed cautiously.

Robyn

 

[aightman]

Robyn,
Wow, thanks for that information. I haven't talked to her yet as far as what her MD said about her injury area. I will take your advice on this one if she dosn't talk to her MD. I already feel uncomfortable working around that area anyway!
Thanks everyone- -this is great!
S