YANMD - running with stitches in leg
January 6, 2015 12:18 PM Subscribe
I had three external (and six dissolving) stitches put in my leg when a mole was removed on 12/31. Can I run/walk a 10k this Saturday?
Possibly relevant: The stitches are in my left inner calf, about two inches below my knee. I'm in great shape, normally run 40+ miles per week. I am supposed to have my stitches removed at the two week mark on the 14th. I run slowly to begin with, and wouldn't be putting a ton of pressure on the leg.
Obviously, YOU are not my doctor. My doctor, who is not a runner, does not think this is a great idea.
Possibly relevant: The stitches are in my left inner calf, about two inches below my knee. I'm in great shape, normally run 40+ miles per week. I am supposed to have my stitches removed at the two week mark on the 14th. I run slowly to begin with, and wouldn't be putting a ton of pressure on the leg.
Obviously, YOU are not my doctor. My doctor, who is not a runner, does not think this is a great idea.
My doctor, who is not a runner...
But is your doctor. He might not know much about running, but I'm sure he knows a fuck-ton about stitches.
posted by furnace.heart at 12:31 PM on January 6, 2015 [10 favorites]
But is your doctor. He might not know much about running, but I'm sure he knows a fuck-ton about stitches.
posted by furnace.heart at 12:31 PM on January 6, 2015 [10 favorites]
Best answer: Do NOT do this. I didn't even run, and a stitch on my leg broke open and I now have a scar the stitch was supposed to prevent.
posted by nanook at 12:37 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nanook at 12:37 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would probably do this but I am a terrible example to follow. I would cover the stitches with a good coating of that liquid skin glue thing, maybe wear some compression socks.
again, i am a bad person who often does stupid things.
posted by poffin boffin at 12:46 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
again, i am a bad person who often does stupid things.
posted by poffin boffin at 12:46 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am a life long runner, IANYD, I generally ignore or minimize warnings how running/swimming might interfere with my recovery--HOWEVER--given the location(leg) of the stitches,that it was necessary to have internal and external stitches and it has been quite recent I do not think it is a very good idea to do a 10K. Go for a leisurely 30 minute stroll.
posted by rmhsinc at 12:50 PM on January 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rmhsinc at 12:50 PM on January 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
I think I'd play it by ear. If it looks good on Saturday go for it, but I am like poffin boffin. I am a bad person that does stupid thing. Data point: I took out my own stitched when I had my wisdom teeth removed because I was tired of them itching.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:52 PM on January 6, 2015
posted by cjorgensen at 12:52 PM on January 6, 2015
Ive personally gone for 5+ mile walks with stitches in my leg and never pulled one out on several occasions after similar removals. Running might be a different story though because you'll be sweating and the incision will get dirty and wet. Also it sounds deep.
Having said that I'm also a bad person and on several occasions have popped stitches by over doing it and am not dead. It bleeds a bit and scars but nbd as long as the incisions stays closed-ish and clean.
posted by fshgrl at 12:57 PM on January 6, 2015
Having said that I'm also a bad person and on several occasions have popped stitches by over doing it and am not dead. It bleeds a bit and scars but nbd as long as the incisions stays closed-ish and clean.
posted by fshgrl at 12:57 PM on January 6, 2015
You don't want to rip a mole removal stitch. Mine separated on my shoulder then the stitches were removed too early and now I have a huge, pink, raised quarter size scar that has random nerve pain. Let it heal.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:02 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Crystalinne at 1:02 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Mole removals are DEEP. This probably goes inches down under your skin - it might look like a surface issue because you can only see three stitches, but it's not. It's like a bad puncture wound, not a scrape or scratch, and it needs to heal appropriately. I had a mole removed in high school (I'm now 31) which didn't heal very well and the scar area still feels weird and is really, really visible. Don't mess with it.
posted by augustimagination at 1:38 PM on January 6, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by augustimagination at 1:38 PM on January 6, 2015 [5 favorites]
I would not run with double stitches in that location. I say that as someone who holds MDs in no special regard and flagrantly removes her own stitches.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:49 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 1:49 PM on January 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It depends on how you feel about the possibility of needing to have the stitches replaced in the ER, and/or ending up with a lumpy, wide dark scar instead of a less-visible mark, and/or impinging on whatever the surface innervation is nearby. If these are acceptable to you as moderate to high risks, go for it. (That's not sarcasm - on my neck, I have about six inches of barely noticeable thread-thickness white scar and about two inches of shiny, lumpy, red scar. The lumpy bit is where I simply couldn't avoid moving my neck post-operatively. I don't know if I'll bother having it revised, because it doesn't bother me that much. Priorities differ.)
posted by gingerest at 4:51 PM on January 6, 2015
posted by gingerest at 4:51 PM on January 6, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. I think I'll sit this one out on the couch.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:10 PM on January 6, 2015
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:10 PM on January 6, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by banannafish at 12:26 PM on January 6, 2015 [9 favorites]