Posted , 14 users are following.
I had TKR on 5/22 and seem to be progressing well. When can you start applying lotions etc. to the incision? My surgeon used glue only, no stitches or staples. What have you found to be effective and is it too soon to start applying creams, lotions? Thanks
0 likes, 25 replies
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.
wendy24221 lowballme
Posted
I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for stretch marks. This was recommended by my Physio who had recently had a baby. It was very good and much cheaper than Bio Oil. Not sure if it is available in US.
Sassanach lowballme
Posted
I too had TKR on 5/19 and was told to wait till 6 wks post op to apply anything to my scar. Not sure which to try or when but I do massage the scar to break down the tissue. On another note, has anyone's physical therapist forced your knee when measuring your flexion when you aren't able to get to the degree they want? I am six weeks post op and they "forced" it to 114 degrees. (3 degrees each visit) I have cried tears but was only told to just to bare the pain and bend it more. I fear going to pt because of this. I do my excercise's each day but have a lot of swelling still around my knee and pain in my ankle and calf of my leg. Icing the knee a lot too. A good nights sleep is very rare and the recliner has become my bed for the most part. Anyone else having issues with pt?
jenny80029 Sassanach
Posted
Tell them you do not want them to force it. They should not do this without your permission, withdraw the permission. Tell them you will work on your bend by push in it gently yourself. Simple as that. Shouldn't be allowed, in my opinion! Post this up as a new discussion maybe, with a title you may get more responses.
Take a peek at my profile and maybe visit my blog. I have devoted one of the pages to my own story. It is very long. Skim reading recommended! But I write a lot about my physical therapy! That was the main activity and preoccupation for weeks!
jenny80029
Posted
jenny80029
Posted
Sassanach jenny80029
Posted
Thanks! I'm new to this site so unsure how to start as new discussion as today's therapy made me scream out to tell him to stop. I was told no pain no gain, (no sympathy was given) and I broke down and cried when he walked away and another therapist gave me a Kleenex. Going to read your blog now!
Sassanach
Posted
jenny80029 Sassanach
Posted
Go to tab at bottom or right...says start your own discussion.
It tells you what to do i think.
I thought you may be in USA!
Things a bit different in UK!
My approach has been that while I chose the surgery and understand the long term benefits, my knee does not see it that way and knows only that it has been hacked! Bearing this in mind, that this is an injury, as far as my knee is concerned anyway, (even though willingly inflicted), my knee needs love and compassion.
It doesn't need needless aggravation..it is already distressed. For this reason I would not personally allow anyone to force it...only myself, and I would gently encourage, just a tiny bit. Not force, nudge, persitantly! Little and often, every day, several times a day, but always sensitive to the knee and to myself.
Keeping your spirits up is essential. Essential. Ok to feel down and shed a few tears, or even many, from time to time, but important to look after oneself and this includes being the person who decides how much you want to bear in terms of pain. Yes, you really are in control of the process. If pain is not properly managed, it can be. If physiotherapy is too aggressive and not tailored properly to your individual knee it can be.
There are many excellent physical therapists around with a lot of experience of TKR, but as with any field of work, quality and experience varies.I felt I was the best judge of how much was right as only I could feel it. And then if it was clear I had done too much, I would back off and give it a break until it had calmed down a bit. Impatience and fear are very unhelpful.
Opinions do vary as with in all things. There certainly is no place for complacency, however, the knee is healing, and as well as ensuring range of motion does progress, there needs to be rest and attention given to reducing swelling. I had excellent physiotherapy on the NHS, both from the hospital and community physiotherapy, plus a follow up class of six sessions, which was actually great fun, and caused a lot of laughter and banter. This was therapeutic in itself, and yet gave suitable challenges as well.