Buried Splinter

[ratface]

Hi Al

Several years ago while drilling in steel I finished the task and then knelt down on the concrete floor to sweep up the metal shavings. BIG MiSTAKE. Imbedded a metal splinter in my right knee cap. Was there for years and the pain was excrutiating when kneeling on that knee. Finally went to a orthepedic guy and he dug it out. Told me to draw a dot on the spot with a marker the day of surgery. Woke up it was gone. Said it was right where I had indicated. The sooner you get it out the happier you will be, funny how such a small thing can be so irritating. Yours is probably an outpatient thing in the doctors office. Go get it out.

[TromboneAl]

Thanks for the tips.

Mine must be very small. I used the LED trick with my high-intensity LED bike taillight, which was neat, but I didn't see anything definitive. I did some more surgery without any success. I think I'm just going to live with this for a while, the occasional pain is only annoying at this point.

[kyounge1956]

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple girl Soaking a long time in water worked for DH when he had several splinters in his feet. They didn't immediately come out, but within the next day or two they seemed to just disappear.

This is a good suggestion. I used to work on a land surveying crew, so I used to get blackberry thorns in my fingers if there was any brush-cutting to be done. Sometimes I could see them and get them out, sometimes not. Long soaking in hot water (e.g. washing a big sinkfull of dishes by hand) will often get rid of them, but if the skin has completely healed over the splinter, probably not. If it's well in there, you may have to visit the doctor to get rid of it. Might be worth it if it is really bothering you.

[ls99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Sorry Al...you're going to have to amputate.

Don't have to cut. It will fall off by itself

[bbbamI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls99 Don't have to cut. It will fall off by itself

Sorry Al...we don't mean to amuse ourselves with your pain...

[Westernskies]

T-Al, until this medical issue is resolved, I am pleased to offer you this complimentary avatar:

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

Long soaking in hot water (e.g. washing a big sinkfull of dishes by hand)

How much did my wife pay you to write that?

[tuixiu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westernskies I usually dig around a buried splinter as deep as I can stand with a sterilized needle or exacto knife, then slather it with antibiotic ointment and a band aid- the splinter is usually lying on the surface the next AM.

Yup.

Much like having to make the toast at a wedding, an operation like this can sometimes go much smoother if one can find that fine line between consumption of alcohol and continued adequate use of abilities.

[Dreamer]

I was using a Brillo pad the other day and had a splinter from it. My fingers are dry right now and it was irritating. I could see it, but could not get it out with tweezers. Finally, I used some tape all over the area and it must have pulled it off, because I can no longer feel it. Of course, mine was not inbedded.

[perrytime]

I ask the pharmacist, was behind counter for some reason, really helped on a couple of buried splinters, one the doc dug around and couldn't get.

[Ronstar]

Make sure you get anything metal out - even if it isnt bothering you. I had embedded metal shavings removed from my eye about 25 years ago.

I went to get an MRI yesterday. I had to get eye xrays to verify that no fragments were still there before I could get an MRI. I guess the MRI will suck any metal through your body.