TKR 4 weeks post op
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi I had my right total knee replacement just over 4 weeks ago. My surgical scar looks clean and healthy however this evening I noticed what I first thought was a piece of cotton on my scar. ON closer inspection this turned out to be a stitch about 1.5 long poking out of the centre of my wound. I tried to pull it free but it's not budging. I'M not sure what to do. HAS anyone else experiencedo this? Any advice is welcome x
0 likes, 13 replies
elizabeth_59334 kerrie_30523
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Irish_Al kerrie_30523
Posted
Hi Kerrie,
Haven't seen this Thank God.
I would go to my GP if I were you.
Best to be safe.
Take care,
Alan
cathy66878 kerrie_30523
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NZJENNI kerrie_30523
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Hi - it is very disturbing when this happens. Please don't pull on it !!
I had this a couple of times and even had bits come out of one surgical cut years post op.
I would check it out with your medical team just to be safe.
notwenmj kerrie_30523
Posted
Hi. Yes I had this happen it turned out to be part of one of the internal suture the nurse I saw carfeful pushed it back in and placed as sterile strip over o keep in place it has never come out again and has now totally healed up an. Been absorbed don't pull on it as that may tear internally
Oldfatguy1 kerrie_30523
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Go back to your surgeon and have it removed by a professional. Don't tempt fate and infection by doing it yourself.
jacqueline95689 kerrie_30523
Posted
Hi,
Yes I had the same thing only mine had turned black and it really wasn't sure what it was. I should the doctor and she told me that it was in fact a stitch and sometimes that is the way they work their way out. Mine is all gone now.
april99094 kerrie_30523
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kerrie_30523
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Hi everyone, thank you so much for your comments. I rang the ward this morning and they asked me to go straight in. Once there a theatre nurse examined my knee and said it was an internal suture that had worked its way through. She trimmed it off and put a dressing on as there is now a tiny hole in the scar. I have to keep in covered with a dressing for the next 3 weeks until I see my consultant, and if there is any sign of infection I have to go straight back. Apparently it's fairly common and nothing to worry about. The area is quite tender now as I accidentally caught it with my nail when I thought it was a bit of cotton fluff this morning but my mind has been put at rest. Thanks again for all your support 😊
NZJENNI kerrie_30523
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elizabeth_59334 kerrie_30523
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barbara10526 kerrie_30523
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ihavenonickname kerrie_30523
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Yes, I have. You had two sets of stitches. The first set is internal. The second set, the top set is external.
The external stitches are removed typically at two weeks.
The internal stitches remain because they are dissolvable. It is not unusual for one of these dissolvable stitches to pop up.
Take a small scissors, thoroughly clean them with alcohol and clip the stitch after you clean the stitch with alcohol. Finish up by cleaning the site with alcohol.
kind regards
judith