TKR Nanners adventure to the other side

[RunA42K]

I did not to shower for two weeks. I was told that I could shower once I could manage in the shower (on a chair) but under no circumstances to let my incision get wet. I was told to wrap the knee/incision in Glad Press N Seal. They told me to use this when I was at my pre surgery joint camp at the hospital. I waited two weeks, because #1 I was scared of getting it wet too early, and #2 I think I needed the two weeks to be able to manage in the shower. You will just have to see what your OS says for you to do.

 

[Janet2012]

I had wound glue and was able to shower by day three. I could let the water run over it, but not actually wash the incision.

 

[KayeKaye]

Janet what was the name of the wound glue? Do you know? I did a search and a lot of different products came up but none labelled wound glue. Sounds great, wish I had that on my 2005 foot surgery.

 

[speccybecky]

I had a shower 2 days after op as hospital was a walk in one. Pre op I was told not to lift leg over into bath for 12 weeks. I actually did it at week 8

 

[Janet2012]

Janet what was the name of the wound glue? Do you know? I did a search and a lot of different products came up but none labelled wound glue. Sounds great, wish I had that on my 2005 foot surgery.

I have no idea. Basically, it's super glue. If you've ever gotten that stuck on your skin, you know how it works. Maybe search glue for closing incisions. It eventually peels away from the surrounding skin but takes a few weeks. I'm very happy with it. It allowed showers, there were no staples to have removed and makes for a neat scar. I never had a problem with it, but if there is any drainage from the incision, I'm not sure how that would be managed. That might be the only downside. But it would also seal it, I think, from external contaminants to some extent. I also never had to have steristrips.

 

[Nanners]

Thanks guys! Seems it is up to each ortho. Will have to write down on my list of questions, to ask the ortho at my pre-op. Hugs!

 

[Coachie]

I also did not use a shower chair in the shower. You should be able to stand long enough for a 3-4 minute shower.

 

[lh25]

It's always interesting to me the range of experiences we've had!

I had the glue, no staples or stitches. I was able to take a shower on the 3rd day post-op in the hospital, felt great! I could shower at home as well from the start, at first the dressing they had kept it dry, after that I could get it wet, but no rubbing. I found I showered about ever other day at first, it was a bit of a challenge. I did use a shower chair for a few weeks, not so much for standing, but because I was nervous about slipping trying to move around.

 

[Campervan]

Hi, I had dissolving stitches and a big clear sticky plaster covering it. So I could shower as soon as I was able to walk into shower with crutches. At hospital it was a walk in shower with chair, so I showered on day 3.

 

[referee54]

I used a shower chair and I would sit in the shower and let the water from the shower head jets work on my quads! Boy, did my first shower after surgery feel great---and the shower jets helped loosen up the quads.

 

[Michael Reed]

Well I will chime in. My doctor doesn't use staples, not sure if he uses glue, but do know I have steri-strips. Over those I have a clean dressing that has plastic adhesive that keeps everything underneath dry. I am allowed to shower as often as I want and I would recommend on getting a shower chair. Really who wants to take only a 2-3 minute shower, and you don't really want to be rushing yourself when you are already on unstable footing.

I remember that first shower and let me tell you I wanted to stay under that water as long as I could. It felt so good.

 

[bottomshollow]

I agree, particularly for BTKRers. And once you go to all that trouble to get everything together for a shower and undress and get in---well 2 or 3 minutes just isn't enough. I loved sitting there letting the hot water rain down on my knees and my back---like going to heaven. And although I was sitting to bathe, I was quite tired afterwards and needed to get in my recliner and elevate and ice. I would never had made it if I'd had to stand.

 

[ChrisO]

I'd say yes to the chair too, and a hand held shower head if you can get someone handy to install one. ChrisO

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

I had staples. My first 3 post-op days (in hospital) I did sponge baths seated in a bedside chair. (Lots and lots of towels helped---though they did give me some premoistened disposable washcloths I was able to do it the old-fashioned way. First full day in rehab they put a trash bag & duct tape over my wound dressing and wheeled me to the shower, where they had a special wheeled shower chair with a good strong handheld sprayer. Then I went downstairs to the salon for a blowdry & flatiron--I felt human again. (Brought my own dryer & flatiron, but the facility didn't let patients use any appliances--if they did I'd have brought in my travel coffeemaker and had decent joe from the get-go)! I did mostly sponge baths standing up in my rehab-room bathroom (no shower in there) in between shower days. After the staples came out and I was sent home I was allowed to shower as I pleased. For 3 weeks I used a transfer bench and hand-held sprayer, but now I shower upstairs in the master bath with the aid of a portable shower seat (which my able-bodied family members can remove at will). I can stand up long enough to do my hair and reach everything (TMI, I know) but that shower seat comes in handy for getting in & out of the tub. And now, to my chagrin, hair has begun to grow again on my operated leg, so I guess I will get to sit & shave! (I'd thought those days were behind me but apparently not).

But my real bath-time goal? To be able to get into and out of a hot-tub when I travel!!!

 

[jenkneefur]

I had staples and was told to wait to shower for two weeks when they took the staples out. I'm a bad patient. I cheated. I'm not recommending doing this, but this is what I did... Took a small garbage bag (5-6 gallon, sized for a bathroom basket) and cut off the closed end. Stepped into the garbage bag and using clear packing tape I taped the ends closed all around my thigh and calf. Never once did I get a drop of water inside the bag. I used a shower chair for the first few days, but otherwise stood.

 

[bottomshollow]

I was a very good girl and took bird baths at the bathroom lavatory until my incisions were healed for both my hip and then for my knees. Had I thought about waterproof bandages, I would probably have had some at home to use. But alas that is far behind me now and hopefully I won't need this knowledge anytime again.

 

[Dog Lover]

I had steristrips and had my first shower in rehab with a lot of help. With bilateral s it's scary still.

I am still using a shower chair as I am very afraid of falling. That first shower is awesome and had it covered with seran wrap.

I wonder when those with both legs done have typically stopped using a shower chair AND the elevated toilet seat. Both have been invaluable to me.

Thx.

 

[Janet2012]

I'm at 8 weeks and haven't used the seat in the shower for at least a couple of weeks, but I am still using the elevated toilet seat with arms, and think I'm going to have to take it with me on vacation. These knees are not getting me up by themselves yet!

 

[kneeper]

^Even after I finished with the bath bench I did keep the grab bar to aid with balance in the shower. I was able to shower once I got home. The bandages they sent me home with were water resistant so I'd wear it into the shower in the morning and then put on that day's fresh bandage. I believe after the staples came out I was told it was ok to get the incision wet, just not soaking wet.

 

[Dog Lover]

I'm at 8 weeks and haven't used the seat in the shower for at least a couple of weeks, but I am still using the elevated toilet seat with arms, and think I'm going to have to take it with me on vacation. These knees are not getting me up by themselves yet!

Thx Janet. Have a great vacation