Save Money on Thumbnail Bruise

Injured toe nail - 3 days after the accident

Image via Wikipedia

Not really a bruise, but are you familiar with the term “subungual hematoma”?
I didn’t think so.

A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood underneath a fingernail or toenail, usually from an injury, that often hurts a lot due to the build-up of pressure.

So, if someone like my friend Bill (whose last name I won’t mention) happened to hit his thumb with a hammer and got a collection of blood underneath the thumbnail, what would he do?

I think Bill would be willing to treat himself. Not everyone is so entrepreneurial-minded. But if you are, here’s how a doctor would relieve the pressure. (YouTube is such a treasure-trove of information.)

Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7yNSVDg_l4

To have your physician perform this procedure would cost probably $60 to $100.

A “subungual hematoma evacuation procedure” must be done at least 100,000 times a year in America.

Potential savings if everyone did their own (which I know is unlikely):
100,000 x $60 = $6,000,000 annually.

Who’d be willing to save the dough and do-it-yourself? Is it worth it?

© Cynthia J Koelker, MD – All rights reserved
 

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