In our passion for shooting many times, we are complacent about one simple health necessity. Get your tetanus shot. Almost three weeks ago, while at a local range I scratch my leg against a simple exposed nailhead. Now normally this would not be a concern. Clean the wound go about my business. That is what I did. Nothing bad, bled a little, stung for awhile, and noy another thought. About 4 days later leg started hurting and was stiff. The wound was puffy, cleaned, and went about my business. The next day my knee was the size of a cantaloupe, and could barely walk. Needless to say, I had a severe infection. I watch my right knee closely, due to a total knee replacement. I went immediately to the ER as instructed by my orth surgeon, and was admitted. Three hours later I was under the knife with the knee splayed open, to have the thing totally cleaned. I am now looking at 3-4 weeks healing time, and extreme pain. Although this is a rare case, you can develope infection in a joint repair involving metal prosthesis. Get your tetanus shots and keep them up to date. As a fact you can develope a severe infection from any wound. Be aware of this, especially at shooting ranges, way to many things besides a stray round that can cause a danger.
Ortho surgeon, said I was lucky. The infection could have severely affected my knee replacement, had I ignored it further. I was lucky this time.
Ortho surgeon, said I was lucky. The infection could have severely affected my knee replacement, had I ignored it further. I was lucky this time.
) and was pink all over.
