Motorcycle accident, wound on leg which looks like hole/pressure

Alon,

The picture provided appears to be a chronic pressure ulcer, with the build up of granulation tissue in its base and epithelium around the edges. Usually, it takes some time for a wound to take on this appearance.


You do not say where the wound is located. Puncture wounds can be very significant and misleading. Puncture wounds are often much deeper than the superficial appearance would suggest. If the puncture is over a joint, there is always concern that the joint has been violated. Also, with puncture wounds, the skin can close over a deeper wound, sealing in any foreign material (such as dirt, gravel, grass, cloth, etc). As such, they are difficult to clean thoroughly.

You also do not say if you were seen in the ER after your injury. If the wound was cleaned by a health care provider.


The best thing to cleanse a wound with is just plain old soap and water. But, again, puncture wounds can be difficult to open enough to clean well. There is a difference of opinions, as to whether or not a cotton tipped applicator (eg Q-tip) should be used to clean punctures. Some say they should not, because the foreign material could be pushed deeper into the tissues.

Once the wound has been thoroughly cleaned, then if you want to put some ointment on it, that's okay. But, the ointment has to be removed daily and the wound cleaned again with soap and water. Do not just keep gooping the ointment on, without cleaning the wound.

If the wound is more open than a true puncture wound, then wet-to-dry dressings may be the best to debride the wound. Again, cleaning the wound with soap and water (in the shower is a good time/place to clean wounds) and then applying the dressing. The wound will gradually heal in, from the edges to the center. How long it will take depends upon how big the wound is and how much tissue was lost.



If you develop increasing redness, warmth, and/or pain in the area, it will need to be evaluated by a physician. If the wound is over a joint, and you develop significant joint pain, that would need to be looked at urgently.


Hope your wound is doing better. Good luck.