Question 1

what are the tests for knife wound?

Accepted Answer

Where?: Where is the knife wound? Usually a doctor's physical examination is sufficient, examination of nerve feeling and muscle function at the site if involving an extremity. Examination of the depth of the wound depending on location. Sometimes blood tests, and sometimes direct surgical exploration in the operating room is indicated.

Question 2

how long should it take a major knife wound to heal?

Accepted Answer

Depends on…: Size & depth of wound, amount of internal damage, location of wound, whether blood supply to area was compromised, individual healing patterns, presence of comorbid conditions like diabetes, infection, smoker. Surgeon that treated wound should be best source for healing time estimate.

Question 3

how often should you change a bandage from a knife wound?

Accepted Answer

Depends on Location: Basically, the depth of the wound and location determine the surgeon's timing of dressing changes.  Some wounds require more frequent changes based on amount of drainage.  For the most part, the rule of thumb is to change it every other day and keep it clean.

Question 4

how can doctors repair a knife wound?

Accepted Answer

Examine and stitch: First, a good exam is needed to be sure what was injured: skin only? muscle? tendon? nerve? bone? internal organs? Repair of each of these requires different levels of care. Skin-only wounds might just need numbing, thorough cleansing, stitches and/or skin glue; and a tetanus shot, if it has been over 10 years since the patient had one. Injury to deeper structures will need the operating room!

Question 5

emergency medicine on a knife wound, what to do?

Accepted Answer

Med evaluation: Wound may need to be probed, debrieded, sutured. Antibiotics or tetanus may be needed.

Question 6

for how long does a serrated knife wound take to heal?

Accepted Answer

A serrated: Knife wound to the heart is a different matter that the same wound to the fingertip so your question is a little vague.

Question 7

will my knife wound heal without treatment?

Accepted Answer

Seek treatment  : The  human body when injured promptly sets upon the task of attempting to heal itself.  If the injury itself does not compromise the functioning of a vital organ then   when given enough time any injury involving  the "soft tissues" of the body can heal. The caveat however is that if not treated appropriately  underlying injuries can be missed , infectious and cosmetic complication can also arise.

Question 8

how fast would a knife wound to the spleen kill you?

Accepted Answer

Depends on bleeding: The spleen has a very good blood supply. Many times, bleeding from a stab to the spleen will stop on its own. If a major artery in the spleen is damaged, it's possible to die in less than an hour.

Question 9

should i go to the emergency roo for a deep knife wound on my finger?

Accepted Answer

Deep Wound-: YES ! You need wound care. Any DEEP wound to the finger is likely to have damaged an underlying structure (the finger isn't that big). You could need sutures or surgical repair.  You may need tetanus shot, antibiotics or even pain medication.

Question 10

can a knife wound cause gastrointestinal fistula?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A knife wound to the abdomen is likely to cause a puncture to the intestines. When this happens the contents of the bowel can leak into the abdominal cavity. This requires immediate surgery to close the hole and wash out the contaminated  abdomen. If there are many penetrating wounds or a delay in closure this can result in formation of a fistula-abnormal connection to the skin or other organ.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Knife wound signs

A member asked:

What are the tests for knife wound?

A member asked:

How long should it take a major knife wound to heal?

A member asked:

How often should you change a bandage from a knife wound?

A member asked:

How can doctors repair a knife wound?

A member asked:

Emergency medicine on a knife wound, what to do?

A member asked:

For how long does a serrated knife wound take to heal?

A member asked:

Will my knife wound heal without treatment?

A member asked:

How fast would a knife wound to the spleen kill you?

A member asked:

Should i go to the emergency roo for a deep knife wound on my finger?

A member asked:

Can a knife wound cause gastrointestinal fistula?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?