can play with stitches?

[coach mb]

High school rules, new york state, varsity mens.
Can a player play a game with stitches in his lip?
Cut is 4 days old, 3 stitches.

[Nevadaref]

The NFHS rules have nothing preventing someone from playing with stitches. I would seriously doubt that New York has anything either. Someone from NY will come along shortly and tell us for sure about that area.

Originally Posted by coach mb

High school rules, new york state, varsity mens.
Can a player play a game with stitches in his lip?
Cut is 4 days old, 3 stitches.

Yes, he can.

[Kelvin green]

Although by rule he may play, I would question the wisdom of allowing this person to play especially in a sensitive area like the lips.

Let the injury heal- Is there a liability issue if the kid reinjures it? Only a qualified attorney in our jurisdiction can tell you that one.... but if it were me I think the kid would sit a couple more days...

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

Is there a liability issue if the kid reinjures it? Only a qualified attorney in our jurisdiction can tell you that one....

I asked my uncle on this, and while he isn't a sports law specialist or anything, he didn't think there would be anymore liability than if a kid with an approved knee brace was playing and hurt his previously torn ACL. Essentially he equated the knee brace to the stitches, and while I'm sure someone will come along and say that is apples to oranges (being in the medical field I agree to an extent that they are different), but in a legal sense my uncle said they could both be described as medical devices used to aid in the healing of an injury.

He did ultimately decide that a better analogy would be playing with a band-aid. How many would keep a kid with a band-aid over a cut from playing so long as blood wasn't oozing from under it?

As was already said, the rules don't prohibit it, and I'm too worried about it from a medical standpoint (the kid isn't going to die if he re-opens the injury), and now I have a semi-legal backing. I say let he kid play.

[coach mb]

Great feedback.
The player is my son and his game is tonight.
The emergency room doctor said 4 days, no contact. Today is 4 days.
His primary care physician said it looks good but no contact till the stitches are out (2 more days).
I've explained to him the risks and consequences of a re-injury. To quote boomersooner "the kid isn't going to die if he re-opens the injury". Although it will be ugly.
He has a passion for the game like few others and has earned a starting point guard position in his sophomore year. I'm hoping for the best but the decision is his. He never doubted where he's going to be tonight.

happy holidays and joy to all
thanks

[refnrev]

Your kid, your choice. No rules keep him from playing.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by coach mb

Great feedback.
The player is my son and his game is tonight.
The emergency room doctor said 4 days, no contact. Today is 4 days.
His primary care physician said it looks good but no contact till the stitches are out (2 more days).
I've explained to him the risks and consequences of a re-injury. To quote boomersooner "the kid isn't going to die if he re-opens the injury". Although it will be ugly.
He has a passion for the game like few others and has earned a starting point guard position in his sophomore year. I'm hoping for the best but the decision is his. He never doubted where he's going to be tonight.

happy holidays and joy to all
thanks

Coach, I came at this from an officials standpoint. As a father, had you said should I let my kid play and given the info, I would say no way. I don't want my kid dealing with possible scars or being the thrifty person that I am, more medical bills. As an official I'm not too worried about those consequences, but as a dad you better believe I am.