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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pump helped with healing

Posted , 6 users are following.

diannesk
diannesk

After left THR, part of my surgical wound didn't heal as well as we hoped. After doing wet to dry dressings for weeks, doctor had me start using the wound pump and from the beginning there was an improvement in the healing. I used it for little more than 3 weeks. (It would have taken about 6 weeks to heal at this point using the wet to dry technique. Could have been longer.)

Today my doctor told me I can stop with the pump and just use a simple dressing for the remainder of the healing process. He asked me if I'd miss the pump... Nope!

Next appointment with my doctor is in 1 month. That's progress!!

I still have the numbness in my thigh (ice and elevate) and some occasional twinges (nerves and muscles). I usually think of it as my body doing its best to start to return to normal function. I know it will take months for full healing, but that's ok with me. No more hip pain.

Today was definitely a good day!

5 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • diannesk
    diannesk

    Posted

    Wanted to add, too, that I was fortunate to have a surgeon who has kept in constant contact with me.
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy diannesk

    Posted

    That is fantastic news you have stopped the pump. How does the wound look? Keep eating a high protein diet, it will work wonders.
    • diannesk
      diannesk ptolemy

      Posted

      Wound is looking good. Not too much depth anymore (thanks to pump) and width/length decreased, too. Never had any infection (thank goodness). Doctor says scab will eventually form. I have to keep it clean (of course) and covered.

      I agree about high protein. I've been doing that a lot. Made sure I had an egg this morning even though I wasn't hungry. Make and eat lentils a lot. Of course, lots of other sources of good protein.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy diannesk

      Posted

      I have stopped having my wound covered and it has started to scab. I cannot believe it has gone from a depth of 3cm to being flat. Good old protein!
  • judith12644
    judith12644 diannesk

    Posted

    So pleased that your wound is healing better now. All the best, Judith 
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