Animal bite injuries are a common occurrence in the United States, accounting for up to 5 million cases or roughly 1 percent of all injury-related ER visits ever year. These statistics show that no matter how docile animals may seem or how much they are domesticated, their inherent propensity for aggression cannot be discounted.
Whether you are an animal lover, a pet owner or someone whose occupation involves daily encounter with animals, seeking immediate medical attention for an animal bite injury is crucial for preventing potentially serious complications.
If you sustained a bite injury to your hand or arm, get it promptly checked by an upper-extremity orthopedic doctor, who has the breadth of knowledge of the full range of hand and arm injuries. They can adequately assess the extent of the damage and administer the appropriate treatment. Outlined below are the specific steps an orthopedic doctor takes to address bite injuries.
Thorough Examination
Your orthopedic doctor will first examine the area to assess your risk of infection. For closed or intact skin, thorough cleansing is often adequate. However, if there is a break, puncture or tear in your skin, your orthopedic doctor will carefully assess it for debris or foreign material. Your doctor may administer a numbing agent before checking your hand or arm.
Your doctor may order an X-ray or MRI to check for injury to any of the structures in your hand (bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, etc.) as well as to ensure there is no debris that may have been unnoticed during the inspection.
Irrigation and Debridement
Your doctor will then proceed with irrigating the wound to clean it properly. This is imperative to reduce your risk for infection. Your doctor may administer a local anesthetic to manage the pain.
Your doctor may then carry out a procedure known as debridement to trim away any dead tissue, broken animal teeth, infected skin and any other particle that can be a source of infection.
In cases of tendon rupture, ligament tear, fracture or severe flexor tendon sheath infection, your orthopedic doctor may perform surgery to fix the problem and prevent potentially serious complications.
Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotic treatment, either oral or intravenous, may be recommended as a prophylactic (preventive) measure especially for people in the following circumstances:
- People who are immunocompromised
- People who have a chronic condition like diabetes
- People with cat bites; severe, high-risk, or heavily contaminated bite injuries; or wounds needing debridement
Wound Closure
Low-risk bite wounds can be stitched closed within several hours of the injury, after being thoroughly cleaned. A moderate or high-risk bite wound, on the other hand, will most likely have to be left open for 72 hours before suturing. During this time, the wound will have to be flushed with salt and water solution, left to drain, covered with dressing and checked regularly for signs of infection.
Vaccination
If you have not received a tetanus shot in the last five years or you are uncertain as to how long it has been since your last shot, your doctor will immediately administer it.
If the animal that bit you is a pet, your doctor will want to see its rabies vaccination records first and monitor the animal. If the animal that bit you cannot be found or your doctor deems you at risk for rabies, you will receive a series of shots for protection from the virus.
Orthopedic Doctor for Bite Injuries in Maryland
If you or your child has suffered an animal bite injury, time is of the essence— book an appointment with us here at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder right away. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are renowned for the top-notch care they provide for a full range of upper-extremity musculoskeletal problems, including animal bite injuries. Whatever treatment is necessary, you can count on us to take all the necessary measures to ensure you a successful recovery.
Schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic doctors by calling (410) 296-6232 or by filling out our appointment request form.
