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TKR Questions about knee extension and scar massage
- Thread starter ses9663
- Start date
I guess that's what your PT thought. However, there's no point to it and it's completely unnecessary. Left to its own devices, without interference, your scar will heal itself completely and will even out all the lumps and bumps. You don't need to put anything on your scar, rub it, mobilise it, or do anything else to it. Nature is very good at doing the job, without any "help".
This is beyond unnecessary and I suggest that you not allow this procedure to be done on your incision site. There is still some healing going on with the soft tissues and this seems to me to be a brutal attack on them.
Were you complaining of pain or tightness in your IT band that may have led your therapist to try this procedure? Frankly, I've never heard of such a thing for a recovering knee and I imagine you were quite sore afterwards. Sometimes I wonder where these therapists get ideas like this!
Also, I merged your latest thread with your original recovery thread. We prefer to keep all your updates, questions and concerns in a single thread so that it is easier to go back and read your entire history at times when responding to you. Having a single thread also gives you a complete picture of your recovery journey. Sometimes it's helpful to go back and read to see how far you have come.
Were you complaining of pain or tightness in your IT band that may have led your therapist to try this procedure? Frankly, I've never heard of such a thing for a recovering knee and I imagine you were quite sore afterwards. Sometimes I wonder where these therapists get ideas like this!
Also, I merged your latest thread with your original recovery thread. We prefer to keep all your updates, questions and concerns in a single thread so that it is easier to go back and read your entire history at times when responding to you. Having a single thread also gives you a complete picture of your recovery journey. Sometimes it's helpful to go back and read to see how far you have come.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Better yet, she should have explained it and then asked your consent for her to use it! There's far too little of that - asking consent. Some PTs seem to think they have carte blanch to do what they like without any reference to the person they're treating. How outrageous!
This plunger thing sounds like nonsense to me. I did some gentle massage on my scar area with some nice lotion when my incision was healed over. It wasn't necessarily "necessary" but it felt good.
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ses9663
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If your PT is coming at you with plungers don't be surprised if she wants to try other fringe therapies. Be prepared to just say, "No".
I agree. Don't let her do any funny stuff again.
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ses9663
junior member
There will be no more funny stuff, for sure!
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ses9663
junior member
I am feeling very down today. Started back to work on Friday. I am a nurse and am on my feet. Lots of stiffness, swelling and pain the next day. Also, having pain in my calf today. Have not had this pain since the day I was diagnosed with the dvt (2/5). Is this normal? And I am also wondering if I have a hematoma. Was thinking the pain was from starting back to work. Have not had that kind of pain for the last 5 weeks. Could not sleep and had to take Vicodin which I haven't taken for 5 weeks. Took Tramadol 100mg the day I went into work. Resting, elevating and icing now.
bottomshollow
Former BoneSmart staff member
@ses9663, I have merged the above post into your recovery thread. It was posted originally in the Forum Rules & Staff area where it was unlikely to receive the attention it deserves. We like to keep our members' recovery posts all in a single thread. That way it's easy for us to go back and read your history before responding to a question or concern. In addition, the thread becomes a journal of your recovery for those who come along later and want to read about you. So, please post in this thread from now on when you want to give an update or ask a question. If you have questions or concerns that need an immediate answer, please tag an admin, a mod, or other members or all three.
If you decide you'd like a different thread title at any point, you can post what you want here and tag one of us, and we'll get it changed for you. THANKS!
If you are having a problem locating your thread, here is a link with how to do it: How can I find my threads and posts?
If you decide you'd like a different thread title at any point, you can post what you want here and tag one of us, and we'll get it changed for you. THANKS!
If you are having a problem locating your thread, here is a link with how to do it: How can I find my threads and posts?
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ses9663
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@bottomshollow, Thank you for fixing this. I realized it had shown up in the wrong place but didn't know how to move it. Can you change my thread title to Hematoma? Thank you.
bottomshollow
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newlybionic
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I'm also a nurse. I didn't start back to work until 3 + months post op. I work 10 hour shifts and on my feet almost the entire time. My entire leg hurt me every day. I had cramping in my calves that I had to stretch out periodically during the day. My knee also swelled up a lot too. I had to come home and ice and elevate for the rest of the day and needed pain meds at night. I did have an ultrasound for a DVT which was negative. If you have that concern then you should probably see your OS to allay your fears.
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ses9663
junior member
@newlybionic, Thank you for your response. I was not anticipating this much pain upon returning to work. Good to know that this is normal. I was diagnosed with a dvt a week ago and am on a blood thinner. My concern is whether I could have a hematoma due to the blood thinner.
@ses9663
I'm sorry you're feeling so uncomfortable. Yes, it's normal to experience an increase in swelling, pain and stiffness when you go back to work, but at 8 weeks you've gone back earlier than we recommend and to a very demanding job.
We usually recommend not going back to work until about 12 weeks post-op and then a Phased return to work
With nursing, the phased return is probably not possible. Those long shifts you have to work are a killer for a new knee. Honestly, if it's at all possible, I'd recommend getting medical permission for another month off work.
It would also be a good idea to ask your OS about having an US scan of your calf, to exclude a haematoma. It's probably just the stress of going back to work, but you should get it checked.
If you can't take more time off work, plan to do absolutely nothing except for rest, ice and elevation when you're not at work.
I'm sorry you're feeling so uncomfortable. Yes, it's normal to experience an increase in swelling, pain and stiffness when you go back to work, but at 8 weeks you've gone back earlier than we recommend and to a very demanding job.
We usually recommend not going back to work until about 12 weeks post-op and then a Phased return to work
With nursing, the phased return is probably not possible. Those long shifts you have to work are a killer for a new knee. Honestly, if it's at all possible, I'd recommend getting medical permission for another month off work.
It would also be a good idea to ask your OS about having an US scan of your calf, to exclude a haematoma. It's probably just the stress of going back to work, but you should get it checked.
If you can't take more time off work, plan to do absolutely nothing except for rest, ice and elevation when you're not at work.
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ses9663
junior member
@Celle, Thank you. Fortunately I am part-time and only work two days a week. I am off until this Friday so will have a lot of time to rest, ice and elevate.
Thank you for the suggestion for an US scan. I am going to call in the am to exclude the hematoma. Hopefully, it is nothing more than the stress of returning to work.
Thank you for the suggestion for an US scan. I am going to call in the am to exclude the hematoma. Hopefully, it is nothing more than the stress of returning to work.
Yo're welcome! In my younger days, I was a nurse, too.
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