1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Massaging the knee after TKR

Posted , 11 users are following.

margaret747
margaret747

Hi all, I'm at 3 wks post op with left TKR. still have to wear compression stockings for another 3 weeks (6 weeks in all). Is it safe for me to massage any type of bio oil or vitamin E cream all over the knee including the incision area. I don't want to risk introducing any risk of infection. Is it still too soon?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • ann_13
    ann_13 margaret747

    Posted

    If the wound healed yes you can my surgeon told me 2 weeks after my op to use bio oil .

     

  • deborah90838
    deborah90838 margaret747

    Posted

    I'm at 3 weeks also and my PT massages it when I'm in for a session and said it's fine to use vit E. Amazing how hard she presses when she does it but the scar always looks flatter when she's done.
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 margaret747

    Posted

    If there is any drainage or seepage or wet scabs NO..........

    Only perfectly dry, scab free incisions should have anything foreign applied

  • deborah90838
    deborah90838 margaret747

    Posted

    Agree OFG. No touching until it's a nice, clean, scab free scar. Mine was about 2 1/2 weeks.
  • irish_linda
    irish_linda margaret747

    Posted

    as long as your scar has healed with no scabs then yes bio oil will be good to use
  • andrea30334
    andrea30334 margaret747

    Posted

    6 weeks is a long time for stockins????? I never had any at all????
    • margaret747
      margaret747 andrea30334

      Posted

      Hi Andrea 30334

      Can't believe how different the advice given seems to be depending on where you have your surgery. I was told 6 wks by the nurse and the Physio how can such advice vary so much.

    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo margaret747

      Posted

      six weeks seems to be the norm where they use stockings. . they don't use them here in tenerife, but do insist on blood thinning injections every day for six weeks, which I have to say I prefer to wearing stocking.  I think in most areas they use one system or the other. . . 
    • sueisobel
      sueisobel andrea30334

      Posted

      6 weeks is normal, whilst everthing is healing underneath the skin; clots can still happen
    • diana90984
      diana90984 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Wish that was the case still stabbing myself nightly and wearing the lovely stockings for another five weeks after revision of my TKR done only 14 months ago
  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo margaret747

    Posted

    Is the wound totally healed at three weeks?  if not, don't massage anything into it. . . .
    • margaret747
      margaret747 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Martinarvelo

      At 2 days short of 3 wks PO, my staples came out at day 14 and round looks quite neat and clean.

    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo margaret747

      Posted

      razz Everyone says bio oil is good. . I didn't have any, but  it generally seems to be accepted as good. 

       

  • deborah90838
    deborah90838 margaret747

    Posted

    It is interesting how things are different. My MD said 2 weeks in the stockings then wear them for PT to reduce swelling. I don't have swelling so I stopped wearing them by 3 weeks. Had blood thinning shots twice a day for 10 days.
  • diana90984
    diana90984 margaret747

    Posted

    Agree with everyone else, but I'm 6 days post op and already massaging the back of my knee, obviously not for the scar, but to help strengthen and stretch the tendons which are very tight, will wait for last little bit of scab to disappear before indulging with creams. Afraid that took 6 weeks last time!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.