Day 8. I hope I didn't cause myself any problems. I have really sensitive skin and can't tolerate most adhesives. I can get dermatitis from almost anything green and need aggressive treatment every time I get poison ivy.
Every time I have had an operation, I end up with rashes from the EKG pads. (Probably all related to the psoriatic part of the arthritis.) Well, my area around my incision has been itching like crazy for the last 4-5 days. I have a rash from under my breast to the end of the incision. The bandage was supposed to be changed yesterday so I pulled it off yesterday morning. Ah.... relief for a couple hours.
Then the PT put another bandage back on that she said was like saran wrap and people with sensitive skin could tolerate it. She also said when I saw the doctor (tomorrow); he would probably recommend no bandage. The itching started up almost immediately again and I put moisturizing cortisone cream on the rash and all around the bandage and used iced to try to reduce it. I had trouble getting to sleep because of the itching and sometime in the middle of the night, I pulled off the bandage. It was like glue. In doing so I opened the small inch incision a bit.
The glue (?) over the actual incision is gone. I put a thick coat of Neosporin over the whole area and a clean piece of paper towel over that, held in place by my underpants. Today the incision seems to hurt a bit -- and it does seem to be surface pain, but the rash has definitely calmed down and the itching is minimal -- still using the moisturizing cortisone cream on that. I'm not worried about the smaller incision but am checking both frequently.
So far the larger incision seems to be securely closed. I was wondering about using liquid skin on it but unless something happens, will just be very careful until I see the doctor again. I had something similar to this happen before when I had a large cyst removed off my shoulder. I just could not tolerate any bandages. I was thinking about putting a strip of narrow dressing over the incision and using just enough paper tape in perpendicular strips to keep it on. The incision is only 4 inches long and I could probably get away with two pieces of tape and move them around to minimize skin irritation. What do you think?
@Josephine , your advice please?
I've been reading other threads where the wound gaped open to the bone (eek!) and about infections but I know there are stitches under the skin. Getting a bit nervous though.
Not sure what I can do but I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and I'll go to an urgent care if I see any bad gaping. I had some itchiness from the bandages on my knees but they actually became unstuck in a lot of places so while they provided protection for incision, it wasn't airtight. I actually had to keep sticking the bandage back down so probably most areas of the skin got relief at different points.
Other than that, the pain is okay. I'm also a bit nervous from reading other accounts of having pain later on in the healing process, but after going through the knees, I know that is kinda normal. And with all my problems,
something is always hurting so as long as it doesn't stop me from doing things, I can handle it.
United States
Its more mushy compared to the tightness from the knee replacement swelling. Bruising is getting very colorful. Trying to be better at using the ice. Walked to the top of the road and back again. Not a lot of pain as long as I keep the leg directly underneath me. Hope it stays that way.
Walked .35 miles today. As long as I use my walker for some weight bearing (as little as possible and trying to keep my body erect) and don't abduct the leg, its not too bad. Abduction PT exercises still the hardest but I'm doing them! Looking forward to being released to drive -- not sure when that will happen.
