Tender scar post hip replacement

Hi Karen, 

I had this tenderness for quite a while (I am now 13 weeks post LTHR posterior) - aggravated by any fabric really for a while.   

In previous discussions on this topic, there was a fair amount of variation in advice given by surgeons and GPs from some dismissing it altogether to tohers reccomending massaging it with their favourite cream/oil. I think there was some consensus that the incision had to have healed well before starting to massage with anything.   

A separate discussion about best style panties to avoid irritating the scar ranged from high leg to granny style to boxers (Graham)! 

I foundit worst just after I stopped using the dressing and actually inserted a piece of well-worn flannel under my panties as they were also irritating the swelling in my leg - esp at the panty line. For what it is worth high leg jersey material panties were the most comfortable for me, but at one time I actually considered buying some oversize Men's boxers.

By 8 weeks (most of the below the surface healing of the incision is complete, I felt comfortable massagaing my scar with an oatmeal-based moisturizer. Others swear by coconut oil or Bio-Oil. However, I think it does not matter as much what is used. The key thing is to massage it. There is a whole line of research on this - worth looking up - sorry I don't have the references, but it may have come from a discussion by Bini (?).

Good luck - you are through the worst of it, although recovery is much lengtiher than any of us expected and it is too easy to get discouraged by the periodic steps backward we seem to take. 

hi Karen,

after my staples were removed I had dressing over the scar until it didn't feel so tender any longer. .

I would get something. ..just to protect the sensitive skin..

how are you doing otherwise?

Big warm hug

Renee

Karen,

Scar tenderness can last a while - I didn't get any the first timearound, but after my revision surgery I found I had tenderness for about 12 weeks but just in the lower half of the scar area.

This is brutal surgery, and it is no surprise to me that we are a little tender sometimes.

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃

Morning Karen 

my scar is still a bit tender at ten weeks - and some clothes irritate it depending on the fabric - you could put a dressing on it if you wanted, although would recommend removing at night to let the air get to it or could get a bit sweaty / damp under dressing . Amazon have some good  dressings quite cheap . Hope it settles down soon xxxx

I agree with Linda on the soft jersey fabric.  I never considered myself to be a leggings type of person and at nearly 50 was dubious about starting, but a friend gave me two pairs pre-op as a good luck gift.  Best things I ever wore early post-op.  One pair with seams set off from the usual side location became my go-to 'bottoms'. A very soft stretch jersey fabric. I 'broke them in' before the initial dressing was removed and found them very comfortable once it came off.  I stayed away from jeans and stiffer fabrics for some time but those leggings and a couple of pairs of lightweight dress slacks got me through the early days when I got back to work.