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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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farmwife1968 | @farmwife1968 | Jul 3 5:40am
In reply to @jrs0303 "@dogonabone Yes - silicone. Had Mohs on face and plastic surgeon recommended - 12 hrs a..." + (show)
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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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@jrs0303 great news, thanks!

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farmwife1968 | @farmwife1968 | Jul 3 5:41am
In reply to @ddsack "The scars will look terrible in the first weeks after surgery, but will heal fast by..." + (show)
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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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@ddsack Thank you!

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jrs0303 | @jrs0303 | Jul 3 6:14am

You will be amazed at the closing technique and how it leaves virtually no scar. Silicone strips!!
3 mos out and my scar is barely visible All the best in your healing!

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drenda | @drenda | Jul 3 9:13pm

So I had my left knee replaced in November 2024 then my right knee replaced in July 2025. Total relief from pain and limping after 15 years..great Doctor..fabulous recovery.

Question is how long do I have to keep oiling the scars? My knee scars ache or feel really dry if I don’t use Palmer’s or vitamin E oil at least twice a day minimum…anyone else have this problem?

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jul 4 8:21am
In reply to @drenda "So I had my left knee replaced in November 2024 then my right knee replaced in..." + (show)
Profile picture for drenda @drenda

So I had my left knee replaced in November 2024 then my right knee replaced in July 2025. Total relief from pain and limping after 15 years..great Doctor..fabulous recovery.

Question is how long do I have to keep oiling the scars? My knee scars ache or feel really dry if I don’t use Palmer’s or vitamin E oil at least twice a day minimum…anyone else have this problem?

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@drenda, Yes! The scar is responding to all the nerve endings and is achy.

Keep massaging in the lotion & vitamin E oil. I do mine faithfully twice a day. Personally, I would keep applying until the scar fades.

I am using a plain cotton ball to gently rub circular on the scar. I have read in a couple of places that it helps desensitize the scar. It's worth a try!

Blessings & Prayers & Happy 4th of July!

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | 3 days ago
In reply to @drenda "So I had my left knee replaced in November 2024 then my right knee replaced in..." + (show)
Profile picture for drenda @drenda

So I had my left knee replaced in November 2024 then my right knee replaced in July 2025. Total relief from pain and limping after 15 years..great Doctor..fabulous recovery.

Question is how long do I have to keep oiling the scars? My knee scars ache or feel really dry if I don’t use Palmer’s or vitamin E oil at least twice a day minimum…anyone else have this problem?

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Hello @drenda,

I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:

"How do you reduce the look of TKR External Scar?"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-reduce-the-look-of-tkr-external-scar/

@farmwife1968 started this discussion and members @dogonabone, @lynn, and @jrs0303 shared what worked for them with their scar maintenance after TKR.

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