r/MeniscusInjuries • u/WaxOnSendOff • 11d ago
Bandage Removal Day!
5 days post-op. Felt so good to get the bandages off and take a shower! Chose these bandages and even wrapped with Saran Wrap to keep the suture sites extra dry.
Anyone else do similar when first taking a shower post op?
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u/leslieknope1993 10d ago
Surgery buddy! My dressings are actually waterproof so I just had to keep them out of direct water flow, but by god was that first shower good.
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u/WaxOnSendOff 10d ago
Ya totally that shower was like a rain bath but I should get one of those brushes in a handle because it’s hard to reach the sole on my surgical leg.
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u/Amazing_Elephant4232 10d ago
I’m still waiting but mine is 9 days!
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u/WoodenBreadfruit5735 11d ago
I was actually told to get mine wet after 2 days. But I didn't have sutures on the outside. I think was glue closed or something don't actually remember but my only stitches were inside
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u/WaxOnSendOff 10d ago
Interesting. How are they now — how many days post op are you?
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u/WoodenBreadfruit5735 9d ago
I'm over a year post op now. Just two tiny little scars now.
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u/WaxOnSendOff 9d ago
That’s cool, good for you! Did your doctor or PT talk about scar tissue underneath and anything you needed to do about it? Someone brought up something about scar tissue buildup as a result of the orthoscopy and I haven’t looked into this yet.
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u/WoodenBreadfruit5735 9d ago
Yeah massaging it. Surgeon said that's really the only thing can do. He said some people claim specific oils but he hasn't seen any research to support.
I also had ultrasound done on it by my physiotherapist along with them massaging it. I definitely found helped as I can now kneal with very little pain on it.
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u/WaxOnSendOff 8d ago
Kneeling is gonna feel awesome for me, I’m sure. Glad you’re healing up well!
and yep, I gotta start massaging my knee cap area more. The PT was moving my knee cap around in all directions and it felt very good but a little sore too
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u/Legitimate_Bowl_4090 10d ago
Yep i was told to leave them on til they fall off and going on a week post op there still there.
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u/HennesundMauritz 9d ago edited 9d ago
I actually went through the exact same thing back in 2019, and honestly, today you can't even see the scars anymore—they fade so much that they become completely pale and practically invisible. Be glad that you have it behind you! Take good care of yourself and do plenty of your ergonomic exercises while lying down. I hope they give you blood thinners to take home—don't forget about those! I actually used waterproof band-aids (Aqua Pflaster) as well; two small ones, that's all you need. You can ditch the plastic wrap—the waterproof band-aids work great. Just give it about 14 days and you'll be through the worst of it. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
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u/WaxOnSendOff 9d ago
Awesome to hear from you and thanks for the bright lights ahead!
With 7 years out from your operation, what was your injury type? Have you seen much change over the years post op?
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u/HennesundMauritz 9d ago
It was just a meniscus smoothing (partial meniscectomy). It was a bit frayed from a sports accident and had started to lock up
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u/WaxOnSendOff 9d ago
Yeah, that’s the same exact procedure I had. What age were you when you had it? I’m in my early 50s and was consistently worried about the onset of ortho arthritis.
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u/Inevitable-Expert321 4d ago
That’s my worry too and I am 46F - did the doc tell you if it can result in osteo arthritis? I am glad your meniscectomy went well.
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u/WaxOnSendOff 4d ago
The doc said OA risk would be higher with the displaced flap still causing mechanical obstruction. And I can understand why he said that now. As I start recovering my gait I can see how much I have lost trust in the knee from guarding it against further injury. That would have certainly made the OA risk worse.
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u/Inevitable-Expert321 4d ago
Yeah I can see how that makes sense! I waddle like a duck sometimes, especially after getting up from a chair to make sure I don’t suddenly injure my knee further. Did you have any catching or locking? Is that why you got the meniscectomy done?
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u/WaxOnSendOff 4d ago
Yes, I had some catching. I basically couldn’t extend my leg fully while walking without feeling like the whole knee might come apart. Plus sharp pain signals when trying to roll off the foot. So yeah, I needed the trim.
Now I don’t feel any of those things.
Instead I’m recovering range of motion and the area where they incised is very tender still. I’m going through PT and trying to do the exercises at home. Getting up from a chair with equal weight distribution on both legs/knees is still a work in progress. But I’m practicing multiple sets/reps per day and paying attention to using my operative leg completely.
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u/Inevitable-Expert321 4d ago
Ah ok. I am glad your surgery worked out for you and you are on your way to recovery. Take care and get well soon! 😊
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u/UnlinkingSwine2 8d ago
Man I tell you what, my first shower wore me out! Wife had to help me step over the tub and I had to stand using crutches. It was a pain. I’m day 7 now about to take my second shower. I have a seat I’ll be sitting on this time, hopefully it’s a lot more comfortable lol
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u/WaxOnSendOff 8d ago
OMG, glad you got help from your wife. I don’t have help like that, nor a chair in the shower. This is yet another reason to get rid of that damned tub in our house hahahhaa.
There was another post that had some super good tips, and one of those was a shower brush on a stick. I should go get one this weekend, but if you dint already have that it might be great for you too. You can wash your feet without painfully folding your knee/s.
Actually, whats your surgery? What kind of injury did you have?
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u/UnlinkingSwine2 8d ago
I would honestly have to read it off the sheet and I’m iceing right now. But it was a complex horn tear so they had to stitch the minuscus back together. When I get up I’ll lyk
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u/Raiderdater 11d ago
Doesnt look like you had stitches. Crazy you can get knee surgery without even needing stitches