Worried about scar and hardness around it after THR

Thanks Beth, I will try massaging across instead of down etc,,,any infomation is useful. I was just concerned as I could not find any posts on here about scars and issues. Hope you are doing well. Thanks again

I've got the sa me problem. Besides massaging with a suitable cream, I'm applying plasters for scars that help soften it. These plasters are expensive, but they do work.

I was told by my doctor it may take up to one year for the scar to take its definite texture...

Hi Beth

I am 6 days post op from having my right hip replaced. Although my staples have not been removed yet I would like to be prepared for when they are. Did you or do you use any type of oil while massaging your scar?

Thank-you,

Carrie 😊

You must not massage until the scar is totally healed over. Wait until the scabs have gone. If you start before that you will dislodge the scabs and make the healing longer, plus risk infection. During this period yippy can use the silicon players or gel - as said, it is expensive, but if you can afford it then this is the only treatment where medical evidence exists to say it does reduce scarring. The gel in a tube goes a long way. You don't need to use very much at all. I got mine from Amazon. 

After that, you can begin massage. There times a day is ideal, but definitely twice. Personally I don't think that bio oil is any better than a decent massage oil - I continued to use the gel in the morning, and then jojoba oil with vitamin e the rest of the time. I have almost no scarring now at four months post op - it's just about visible. But you need to take into account that no matter how assiduously you work at it and what you  use, there are always differences between people and some will heal better than others. In the end, you are aiming for the skin to be lovely and flexible right the way down - not for a invisible scar. It adds character anyway! 

Silicon plasters, not players.!

Hi Beth. So I should use silicone players or gel.Just after the staples come out? But don't massage till all the scans are gone. I don't mind some scarring. I'm 44 and have had 3 children so I do have scars from that. Your right they do add character?...Lol Would be nice to have the least amount from this as possible. I have to get my next one replaced in 6 months so knowing the scarring will be minimal is a nice thought.

Thanks hon,

Carrie😊

Thanks Hazel, it is good to know I am not the only one with this issue. I thought I was a patient person until this operation... obviously not patient enough...

Just to add, don't use as arnica oil on skin that is broken or any wound that isn't entirely healed (i.e. Don't use it on scabs as it can get into the wound). You don't want it getting into a wound as it can sting and burn. The only time you should use it on broken skin is for bad insect bites, and even then there are better alternatives.

Hi

Many thanks for that,no I only use it around the scar, it's in a carrier oil but I do use coconut oil on scar,there are no open or scabs on it,it seems to be helping.no stinging or pain on application, thanks for the heads up,I didn't know that.

Nicky

Hi Nicky, I thought Beth's advice about massaging across the scar was good. I was bought bio oil as people rave about it, but wasn't sure about using it as it has a base of petroleum... and think a natural vegetable oil is a better Carrier oil. I also took arnica tablets but haven't tried using it on scar in a carrier...everyone raves about coconut oil for everything. It is one of the current favorites. Not sure about it though. Think I will  use jojoba carrier oil or even almond oil...hope your scar improves too.

i am waddling around the house now without a crutch , but need to walk a lot straighter before I do without the crutches... not sure how long this will take... everyone "says take it easy, you are doing really well" so let's hope we all are...

I agree - a lot of "raving" goes on, but I do find that in practical application, providing you buy good quality, most oils are a matter of preference. Remember how everything was argan oil not so long ago. Coconut is the new fashion. Next year it will be something else. It's the quality of the product and your use of it that makes the biggest difference - in fact if you have bought decent quality, raising the kitchen cupboard will be fine! Olive oil had a lot of uses! The majority of the work is how toy massage the scar, not what you  rub  on. The oil is just to create the right gliding movement.

Hi Michelle

Thanks, I am getting there,sounds like you are too,I'm on one crutch inside the house and have tried some waddling. Yes I use coconut oil in raw state for lots of things,I read the omega fatty oils help with scar healing.iv heard almond oil is good, vitamin e is supposed to be really good for scars,once healed,there's too much on the market, knowing which one to buy is difficult. I'm sure olive oil would do the trick! Anyhows thank-you for your kind words,wishing you a speedy recovery as much as it cam be.take care.

Nicky