Two Thursdays (19th) ago, I got 5 stitches just below my kneecap. It seems to be healing fine, no infection, no bleeding, no pain, full movement of my leg, etc. <BR> <BR>I'm going to the lake this weekend and can't just sit on a sacked out SAN with my friends and not ride. That's such a teaser and would probably make me cry. Anyways, I'm supposed to get the stitches out 12 days from the 19th. It's been 8. Am I cool to ride?

I would'nt do it! I work here in the hospital and we see guys go to our local lake "Table Rock Lake" after they had stitches for awhile and come back with infections. And our lake is really clean!!! But thats just from what I have seen. I would'nt take the chance being so close to the season starting up. It might take some more of your time off the board if you do.

wouldnt do it either.. if for some reason some water seeps in the wound or u tear the stiches you could get an infection to where they will have to reopen the wound scrap and scrub it which will hurt really bad and then start all over again with the healing process with anti-biotics and so fourth.. oh ya im a fire fighter and emt so i know a little

dont listen to these fools torrey.... Go shred. If your that worried about it wrap it with some plastic wrap with duct tape or sports tape. Everytime I have had stitches they came out after 10 days and I was in the water before then with no problem

YEAH MAN, WHAT JASON SAID. <BR>wrap it up, tape, whatever, even a good cloth bandage, and just clean it off after. no biggie. you've been showering, haven't you? same idea'r.

Go get some waterproof bandages, buy multiple kinds and sizes and try them out beforehand to see which one works best for the location of your stitches. Try and test it out good. Then carry Rubbing alcohol and peroxide with you and flush it out immediately after removing the bandage, and always check the bandage to make sure it is sealed. I wouldn't recommend it, but have done it, and there are bandages out there that will get the job done.

Have fun with that.. Its not my knee to worry about. I guess some people have better immune systems than others. Im also a Firefighter and EMT. I dont have a clue in what I'm talking about. We never see this around here. LOL.

On second thought, wait 4 days

I would not chance it to get an infection then have to have your leg cut off because of it.

Naa man... i had stitches lower for arm... yeah it got infected... the scar is sweet but at the time it was so gnarly.... IMO dont do it...

id wait atleast a week had some in my chin last summer

Last year I had stitches in my chin (kneed myself in the face, lol)...anyway doc told me to stay out of the water for a week for risk of infection. I waited only about 3 days, went back out and just cleaned it really well and kept neosporin (sp?) on it after i got out of the water. <BR> <BR>There is always risk for infection, but if the cut only took 5 stitches it prolly isn't that big anyway. I say you could ride, just take stuff to clean it off after...and keep it wrapped as best you can.

bag it up nice and tight and you'll be good man. make sure it doesn't get wet! garbage bag and duct tape. hurts like a bitch taking the tape off but probably worth it.

Oh come on.. Once you end up with a real injury that puts you out for months at a time, you'll see how dumb this is. It's FOUR days, I'd rather wait four days than risk infection and be out for four weeks because you couldn't wait.

ehh. its kind off a wash. i think if you want to ride. then just ride around. dont try anythign crazy. if you have a semi hard fall you could hit the water wrong and rip it open. id just ride at like 18 and cut around.

nick, i've been out with acl tear/repair, fractured tibial plateau, broken wrist, and ruptured/repaired achilles. if it was me, i'd still put a bag on it. you know why? because i know its minor and with that ounce of prevention it'll be just fine. ok, just had to remind myself where his stitches were. i'd say if he can fully bend his knee without the stitches seeming too stressed, bag it up and give'r.