Question for the Doc's on the board about gun shots

[JBRES1]

Long story , short question.
A friend of mine was shot this past weekend.
Shot in the lower leg by unknown shooter.
Taken to the ER where they took x-rays, then admitted him to the hospital.
He spent 2 days in the hospital and has now been released, bullet still in the bone.

My question is--- Do they remove bullets that are in the bone, or not.

Thanks, Jim breslin

 

[TSandM]

No, we generally do not remove bullets unless they are in a location where they are interfering with function.

 

[JBRES1]

Thanks for the information.


Jim breslin

 

[mike_s]

No, we generally do not remove bullets unless they are in a location where they are interfering with function.

why not? (just curious... not second guessing the medical reasoning).

 

[TSandM]

What I was taught was that the blast that ejects the bullet renders it pretty sterile. Since it isn't an infection risk, there is no point creating the damage to go dig it out. And in fact, one virtually never sees infection from bullet wounds.

 

[augk]

One more question if you don't mind what about the lead that the bullet is made from?
Is it not a factor?