How long should these stitches stay on? Accident happened on March 27th?

Your doctor didn’t give you a date to come in and have them removed? They should have give some info about when you need to come back in.

It is time to make a phone call to whoever did this.

Some stitches are self-dissolving. Did the doctor say which kind you had? In any case, with an accident that bad and recent, I would think they’d be in longer but your doctor is really the one to check with.

I have had my fair share of stitches. I very seriously doubt the dissolving ones were used if they needed 21. And again that would be something the doctor should have shared.

It is totally realistic that the doctor neglected to provide info about what to do next.

I would call and ask.. You don’t even need to talk to the same doctor. Just anyone that knows about stitches should do the trick.

^ Agree

I’m reading here that, depending on the area, 7 to 10 days. If it is on a joint, they want the stitches in longer because of the way the skin bends. I hope you are keeping it clean and there is no sign of infection. Call the doctor’s office and see if they can take you in to check if it’s time to remove them. Don’t try to remove them yourself.
I had a boyfriend once ask me to remove his stitches and I almost puked at the mere idea of it. Why he would even ask that had me shaking my head.

Thank you for your response. ER doc said 14 days. Seen my primary doc, and he wants to take them out tomorrow. I’m still not sure if I’m ready for them. 4 stitches were out inside, and those will desolve, and 17 on outside which should be removed. It’s right in the joint but, I am able to bend it a little, which Dr wants me to do. He said no brace as of this past Monday. I just think it’s too soon so just wanted some opinions.

Yes, ask your doc but 10–14 days is average.
You can also take Vit. C and E and rub some Vit. E oil into the suture area. Both help with healing, internally and externally too with the Vit. E oil. Vit E oil also helps reduce scarring. It works, really, look it up. :-)

@Beapacheco65 With the stitches being in the knee and with it being bone deep, the stitches must remain intact longer than if it were your forehead for example. IMHO the doc who sutured the knee probably knows best.