Stitch reactions along TKP incision
Posted , 3 users are following.
Wonder if I'm the only one who had several sore spots along my incision line. I'm 6 weeks out and was bugged that these spots wouldn't heal. Since I'm several hours from my doctor's office, I sort of overstepped my bounds and took matters into my own hands. Pulled gently on the end of a black spot in the sore area and pulled out about 2/3 inch stitch that was left over. The other spot was worst and broke open during ROM exercise. Again, I spotted the end of a stitch and slowly pulled it out. Relief! Areas are healing nicely. This has to be a somewhat common occurrence. Evidently, all inside stitches don't dissolve on their own. Anyone else
have this problem?
1 like, 6 replies
gail_02931 lowballme
Posted
Yes this happened to me at the bottom of scar area, Stich knot about an inch long, turned into abscess but ok now. Once out healed nicely. I'm 5 weeks post opp
lowballme gail_02931
Posted
Hi Gail,
Hadn't seen anyone talk about this. Glad that you are healing well. How's the flexibility going?
gail_02931 lowballme
Posted
Hi,
Bend now 115, and leg Straight.
Walking around house without crutches, can go up stairs using both legs, can straight leg lift, quads are getting stronger.
I set an alarm on my phone every time I sit in my chair for an hour, so I can get up and walk around.
Still a lot of pain and swelling, use ice for 20 minutes every 3/4 hours, also a Tens machine.
My other leg has had 15 surgeries over the last 30 years, due to a RTA. So doesn't work as well. But this has been far more painful, unless my mind is playing tricks with me🙄
How are you getting on?
lowballme gail_02931
Posted
Going along pretty well. At 120 bend and 4 or 5 straight (hardest for me than bending). Ice 2 or 3 times per day and do the exercises 2 or 3 times at day. At the end of PT so will be on my own. Still have soreness, Aleve twice a day, off the heavy stuff. Seems like recovery is going faster now but still sore.
Oldfatguy1 lowballme
Posted
Not uncommon. I always preferred to let a med professional do it just because of the possibility of infection. Just be sure and clean with alcohol and cover with sterile gauze till healed. One of my last 2 or 3 surgeries I had one of the closure stitches that was stuck (healed over) in the wound and the surgeon had to go in a little more aggresivly and snip it out. I've always used Vitamin E oil, massaged in deep twice a day to help heal both internally and externally. Just wait till there is no drainage.
lowballme Oldfatguy1
Posted
After I pulled the stitches out, I soaked with hydrogen peroxide and covered with neosporin and gauze. All healed now. I've been using 30,000 I.U. Cream on the scar and mild massage. I tend to scar but it looks like it is diminishing week by week.