Dressings post operation.

Hi John,

i had bilateral tkr nearly 8 weeks ago now.  I took the dressings off at around 2 1/2 weeks.  I had dissolving stitches though and both knees were dry, no ooze.  It seemed to do mine good because they dried out quicker.  No one told me how long to leave the dressings on.  I was to see my GP at 4 weeks but I didn't want to leave the dressings that long.  I'm guessing it depends if you have staples or normal stitches, might be different.  Just meant I had to be careful not to injure my knee but that could happen with dressings.  My knees looked hideous though, my poor grandson nearly fainted when he saw them lol.  Still bruised 8 weeks on.  Takes a bit of getting over.

you must do what you think best for your situation.  Good luck with it all.

suz

Hey John,

your very welcome.  Staples seem pretty ruthless!  So glad I had the stitches.  This forum is great.  Inputs from U.S.A., U.K, Australia and New Zealand.  Slightly different treatments I've found.  I feel a bit of a fraud coming on here because I've hardly had any problems and feel I'm bragging rather than helping.  My operation wasn't without its faults.  I got pretty sick the first week.  I wa on the ward for 6 days and then went to rehab.  I struggled a little at first, two knees, pretty stupid.  I walked into the rehab gym on a walking frame that my arms rested on and an hour later, I went back to the ward with a single walking stick.  Didn't need the crutches at all.  I left hospital 4 days later with no aides for walking.  I rented a big hospital chair and an over the toilet one for home.  I kept them 2 weeks.  I sent them back too early.  I still have difficulty getting up from sofa and toilet first thing.  I'm so glad now I had them both done.  The pain I'd had for years   Is gone.  Just some stiffness and aches.  I won't be modelling socks, scars are pretty gruesome.  Ha, ha!

We all deal with things differently and of course, it's different for each person.  I was determined I was going to recover and not be a burden to family.  Life tough enough without putting on our kids.

I empathise with everyone that's had the op.  I thought I was dying the first couple of days ha ha.  I'm sending positive vibes to everyone.

Hi John

I had PKR 2 months ago.  Took my dressing off after 2 weeks.  Had dissolving stitches. I only had a bath so you to get in it and sit on a low stool and have a bath.  The water was at a level that it covered my lower region but I could keep my wound out of the water.  Once all healed I had normal bath but always made sure that I had my mobile phone, clothes nearby just in case I couldn't get out of the bath.  Wishing you a quick and complication free recovery.

Hi John

Furstly, welcome to the forum.

I have never had a problem keeping the dressings on, on either knee, and never had home visits to change the dressing (my operations were private).  If you keep the knee bent when you apply them, then they should be OK...unless you've been supplied with a dodgy batch.

Up until my recent re-opening of my second TKR, I had never had staples or stitches, but I had staples in Sept.  They look a bit scary, but the removal was much better than I'd hoped.  They take out every other one first.

I hope that the nurse can put your mind at rest today.  You sound as if you are doing very well otherwise.

Patsy

1st TKR Dec 2012  - 2nd TKR Sept 2014 with excess scar tissue removal Sept 2015

Is there a reason why your dressing will not stay put. It could be, where they sprayed a covering over your wound.  It is a clear covering which you only really see if your wrinkle your skin.  Dont forget there is another set of stitches under the ones you can see.  The covering is to protect the would and make it obvious, You are morelike to to take care of something that has a plaster than something without.  Do not rush to have a shower or bath, if you are that desperate cover the whole thing with saranwrap (clingfilm) and tape the edges so that no water, condensation can get at your wound, otherwise the whole thing will open up and you are back to square one.  Do not be in a rush to get back to normal, Everyone heals at a different rate, it is not something you can wish better sooner.  Once the staples come out (They don't hurt that much as your skin/scar is still relatively numb) you still need to take it easy and do what your medics tell you.  If you do need a dressing, it has to be over-large to avoid the "fake skin".  The Mepore plasters (or equivalent, are the best as they do stay on, but are easy to take off.

The main thing I think you will struggle with is patience.  After a good month, then you can break some rules [u]with caution[/u].

Hope that helps. 

Hi John

i had a TKR on Monday 26 October and got out on the Friday with no dressings on my knee whatsoever.  I had staples.  There has ever been any problem from the actual wound, plenty aches but they come from back of my knee, side of my knee, thigh and calf, never the wound.  I am still having new bruises coming out now almost 6 weeks later.  I'm almost finished my third tube of arnica.

 My operation was done privately in Derby as we still have private medical insurance here. We live in Cyprus but unfortunately I would have had to wait 2.5 years approx. to get it done.  

I was was able to do a bit of research and chose my surgeon as he was voted top knee specialist by other knee surgeons.  In saying that I have not seen him since being in hospital, follow up is on the 17th of this month.

we all have different experiences.  It has not been plain sailing for me as lack of sleep has been my biggest problem and initially constipation was a killer.

Hope you get this sorted out and let us know.

Liz