Can stitches really be removed 1 week later?

[Arepeoplereallycoolaboutthis]

Hi all,

I fractured my ankle badly 8 days ago and had surgery last Monday. I'm currently in a back slab plaster type thing and was told repeatedly I'd be invited back for a follow up in two week's time to have a lighter cast put on and my stitches removed etc.

So I received my appointment letter yesterday and they want me back in tomorrow. Am I right in thinking this is too soon? Can stitches really be removed only 1 week later?

I can call up tomorrow to enquire but there's a big chance that they won't get back to me in time.

It's going to be a lot of hassle (and pain) to get there if it turns out it is too soon and I have to go back in another weeks time... I'm thinking of trying to reschedule my appointment for a week's time if possible.

What do you think?

Our orthopaedic patients are usually seen in fracture clinic one week after discharge. Most is ours have dissolveable sutures, but those that don't are usually removed at 7-10 days.

If there are any issues with the position of the fracture, it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. Before it starts healing properly.

There will be a suture in a deeper layer of skin which won't be removed. It will be absorbed giving wound support for about a month. It's only the skin sutures which will be removed. If your hospital is anything like our place, you'll have a non adhesive dressing under the POP. Your wound will be redressed once they've removed the back slab so it definitely won't be a gaping hole.

Thank you both for the super helpful information. I was a little concerned that it was a mistake as they specifically said multiple times that I'm to be seen in 2 weeks. I won't try and rearrange now.