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How do you reduce the look of TKR External Scar?

Posted by farmwife1968 @farmwife1968, Jun 28 7:48am

I recently had a TKR (18 days ago) and I’m interested in knowing what I should be doing now during recovery to help the external scar heal and fade. I had only stitches- no staples or glue.

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dogonabone | @dogonabone | Jun 28 2:30pm

I alternate silicone tape with a mixture of Aquaphor and vitamin E oil then do a day free of both. That's a 3 day regimen that works for me. BUT I don't start that until the incision(s) aren't bleeding anymore which includes a scab coming off and the wound bleeding indicating it hasn't sealed shut yet.
It's worked well for me and my physical therapist (who recommended the three days on & off for me) says it works great for her patients who follow that regimen.
BTW, one can purchase silicone tape in different lengths and widths. The most common dimension sold seems to be 1.5" x 1.6yds. which is always double the width I need for my scars. I have found it much more cost effective to purchase those common size boxes and then just use a pair of scissors to cut the entire roll lengthwise. That way get double the applications I need for fewer total dollars. What can I say but ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
Best to you and your healing!

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2 replies
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lynnn | @lynnn | Jun 28 6:44pm

It takes time. I am a year past and the scar has faded and just lightly visable. I don’t mind it at all.

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farmwife1968 | @farmwife1968 | Jun 29 6:07am
In reply to @dogonabone "I alternate silicone tape with a mixture of Aquaphor and vitamin E oil then do a..." + (show)
Profile picture for dogonabone @dogonabone

I alternate silicone tape with a mixture of Aquaphor and vitamin E oil then do a day free of both. That's a 3 day regimen that works for me. BUT I don't start that until the incision(s) aren't bleeding anymore which includes a scab coming off and the wound bleeding indicating it hasn't sealed shut yet.
It's worked well for me and my physical therapist (who recommended the three days on & off for me) says it works great for her patients who follow that regimen.
BTW, one can purchase silicone tape in different lengths and widths. The most common dimension sold seems to be 1.5" x 1.6yds. which is always double the width I need for my scars. I have found it much more cost effective to purchase those common size boxes and then just use a pair of scissors to cut the entire roll lengthwise. That way get double the applications I need for fewer total dollars. What can I say but ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
Best to you and your healing!

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@dogonabone Thank you! This really helps.

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2 replies
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morkat | @morkat | Jun 29 6:35pm

I had both knees done it is amazing how fine the line gets. they say at one year you can pretty determine the outcome. The scars at other replacement sites, I have really light skin. I think the darker your skin is the more noticeable it is. don't hide your battle scars, we worked hard to correct them.

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1 reply
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ddsack | @ddsack | Jun 30 9:25am

The scars will look terrible in the first weeks after surgery, but will heal fast by themselves. I did try one tube of some kind of scar gel on my second TKR knee, but it didn’t seem to make much difference in speed of healing for me, so discontinued. Both knees now have only a faint hairline scar down the front of the knee, not noticeable unless you look for it up close. Wearing shorts will not scare anyone!

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jrs0303 | @jrs0303 | Jul 1 8:15am
In reply to @dogonabone "I alternate silicone tape with a mixture of Aquaphor and vitamin E oil then do a..." + (show)
Profile picture for dogonabone @dogonabone

I alternate silicone tape with a mixture of Aquaphor and vitamin E oil then do a day free of both. That's a 3 day regimen that works for me. BUT I don't start that until the incision(s) aren't bleeding anymore which includes a scab coming off and the wound bleeding indicating it hasn't sealed shut yet.
It's worked well for me and my physical therapist (who recommended the three days on & off for me) says it works great for her patients who follow that regimen.
BTW, one can purchase silicone tape in different lengths and widths. The most common dimension sold seems to be 1.5" x 1.6yds. which is always double the width I need for my scars. I have found it much more cost effective to purchase those common size boxes and then just use a pair of scissors to cut the entire roll lengthwise. That way get double the applications I need for fewer total dollars. What can I say but ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
Best to you and your healing!

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@dogonabone
Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a day. Worked beautifully my TKR scar is 3 mos and difficult to detect.

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3 replies
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dogonabone | @dogonabone | Jul 1 11:41pm
In reply to @jrs0303 "@dogonabone Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a..." + (show)
Profile picture for jrs0303 @jrs0303

@dogonabone
Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a day. Worked beautifully my TKR scar is 3 mos and difficult to detect.

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@jrs0303
Most excellent 🤓

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dogonabone | @dogonabone | Jul 1 11:46pm
In reply to @farmwife1968 "@dogonabone Thank you! This really helps." + (show)
Profile picture for farmwife1968 @farmwife1968

@dogonabone Thank you! This really helps.

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@farmwife1968 Oh, goodie. In time, let us know how it worked out🙂
Best to you!

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dogonabone | @dogonabone | Jul 1 11:50pm
In reply to @morkat "I had both knees done it is amazing how fine the line gets. they say at..." + (show)
Profile picture for morkat @morkat

I had both knees done it is amazing how fine the line gets. they say at one year you can pretty determine the outcome. The scars at other replacement sites, I have really light skin. I think the darker your skin is the more noticeable it is. don't hide your battle scars, we worked hard to correct them.

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@morkat I am completely there on not hiding ones battle scars. That doesn't mean I don't work to diminish them now but what's there is there and, for goodness sake, I made it through the trauma that brought them on (battle won😍).

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dogonabone | @dogonabone | Jul 2 1:14am
In reply to @jrs0303 "@dogonabone Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a..." + (show)
Profile picture for jrs0303 @jrs0303

@dogonabone
Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a day. Worked beautifully my TKR scar is 3 mos and difficult to detect.

Jump to this post

@jrs0303
Whoopee! ☺️

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