johnbear55
new member
I had TKR 5 weeks ago. All going well except scar is still painful & sensitive. No infection, but even the slightest touch of clothing or bedsheet is painful. I have had other surgeries and never had this issue. Anyone else?
Incision Pain
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Pat29627
post-grad
My knee was very sensitive. Massaging vitamin E oil (just poke a capsule) into the scar helps. I also rubbed coconut oil onto my knee. The nerves are reconnecting and massage seems to help. I couldn't wear anything but soft knit pants or shorts for the first couple months after surgery. The knee is still a little sensitive if I'm wearing rough jeans.
Pat
Pat
Texas
alpha
John that is so normal . Mght sound crazy but when I posted that questions on here. I was told and by PT. Take a dry cloth towel and just keep sliding it lightly over the scare in time, that sensitivitye would go away. I did it for about 20 min a day. It FINALLY went away...I still have a lil bit of it but its soooo much better. I used to build a lil tent with the covers over my knee so they wouldnt touch....Try that, that should help...Good Luck and welcome....
Surfsister
senior
The incision stays painful for a good amount of time. You've got a ways to go with that. I'm glad I got my surgery at a time when it was warm enough that I could simply wear shorts for weeks on end. I don't think I comfortably wore pants until about two months out. It will get better.
FrogFeathers
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I'm finally to the point where my bedsheets don't bother me. Certain jeans I wear still require me to put bandaids over the contact areas on my scar.
What's killing me is the random itchy-ness and those "zappy" feelings I get when the weather changes. This scar is a far better barometer than my arthritic hand and wrist.
The Vitamin E oil doesn't work for me, so don't feel bad if you use it and it doesn't work for you either. Just keep looking for a lotion or something that does work. (I used to get mad that it didn't work, as if it wasn't fair, but after having several scars, I got over it and found lotion I like).
Oh, and if you want, you can try the Neosporin cream with the pain relief stuff in it. The label has "kid" reference on it as I think its marketed for kids. (the ointment kind is a bit greasy, which is why I recommend the cream).
Oh, and I'm five months out from my surgery.
What's killing me is the random itchy-ness and those "zappy" feelings I get when the weather changes. This scar is a far better barometer than my arthritic hand and wrist.
The Vitamin E oil doesn't work for me, so don't feel bad if you use it and it doesn't work for you either. Just keep looking for a lotion or something that does work. (I used to get mad that it didn't work, as if it wasn't fair, but after having several scars, I got over it and found lotion I like).
Oh, and if you want, you can try the Neosporin cream with the pain relief stuff in it. The label has "kid" reference on it as I think its marketed for kids. (the ointment kind is a bit greasy, which is why I recommend the cream).
Oh, and I'm five months out from my surgery.
Motherofmany
graduate
Just takes time to desensitize it. Try the cloth like Kim suggested. It helps, also the vitamin e oil or lotion to keep it well lubricated. Seems when it's dry it's tight and irretable. Jeans are the hardest fabric to get used too. Mine still bothers me on hot days.
Linda2
post-grad
My PT massages my scar and works the area to keep adhesions from forming, and so do I. I find it actually helps to desensitize it--don't ask me how. Any kind of lotion works, just so you can glide over it while still using quite a bit of pressure.
Sticker Lady
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John--
I'm 3 months out and still have a lot of soreness on my knees. I know it is getting better slowly but it is anoying! Good luck, and welcome to Bonesmart!
Blessings,
Irene
I'm 3 months out and still have a lot of soreness on my knees. I know it is getting better slowly but it is anoying! Good luck, and welcome to Bonesmart!
Blessings,
Irene
brs0660
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John...Pain in the knee post surgery is weird. I get zaps across my incision periodically. That's when I get the lotion out...for me the incision is very dry. We all have different aches and pains...slowly but surely they go away and you will stand up and go....hmmm....that didn't hurt! It will happen
cindy88fan
supremo
I'm 4 weeks out of BTKR and my incisions are sensitive. They kind of tickle when I have a sheet over them when I go to bed. But when I put a comforter over them it's like it's too heavy. I still have the little butterfly strips over them. I swear they used super glue on them! A few are just starting to lift up and then they snag...ouch! It feels almost like yanking a hair out. Use vitamin E oil. It works well...it doesn't take much at all...a little bit goes a long way.
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BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy
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BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy
Linda2
post-grad
Soak the strips with the oil and get rid of them! Four weeks is long enough. This, of course, is only my opinion.
Texas
alpha
Hey John, I hope you are doing a lil better ..hang in there....
BigRed
member
I have the same problem. The vitamin E is helping and very soft fabrics for pants. I also put vitamin E oil on some nights when the sheets are bothering me. It seems to allow the sheets to slide over the incisions easier.
johnbear55
new member
Hello everyone, thank you all so much for the feedback. I started using Vita E oil, it seems to help. I've heard several times about massaging the scar, does anyone have more details on "how to" do this? Thx Again, John
cindy88fan
supremo
Linda2,
They put the strips on after I got my staples out which was August 4. I was told to let them come off by themself. They said once they get past the incision I can pull them the rest of the way off. Do you think I should still soak them in Vitamin E oil and get them off?
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BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy
They put the strips on after I got my staples out which was August 4. I was told to let them come off by themself. They said once they get past the incision I can pull them the rest of the way off. Do you think I should still soak them in Vitamin E oil and get them off?
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BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy
Cindy....hon.....don't be in a hurry. They have only been on about 2 weeks. Let them come off naturally. They don't hurt anything by being on there....
You do have the okay for showers, right? The soapy water running down your body should help them on their way.
You do have the okay for showers, right? The soapy water running down your body should help them on their way.
Linda2
post-grad
I thought she said they had been on for 4 weeks. I would do what the doctor says--every time.
Texas
alpha
Hey John also if the scar is sensitive also. I thought it was funny but take a towel and gently keep pulling it over the scar it helps it go away.......Just a thought. I finally tried it and mine is all gone. Before I didnt want anything to touch it.....Good Luck to ya!!!!!
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