Has anyone had scar treatment?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all 

I've been on h forum a number of times but now have a specific question.

A neighbour had her RTHR done 4 weeks before me- so in February - said that at follow-up she had been advised to lie on the operation site at night "if possible" to help loosen / get more circulation to the scar site and all the tissues below, which presumably then fibrose if they are not directly contacted or rubbed or whatever..  

I haven't seen any discussion about this.  Another neighbour who is an Alexander teacher has recommended a 'scar specialist' in a nearby town and I'm wondering whether to book an appointment.

I have reached 4 & a half weeks, and the only problems I have now are (still) bruising on the back of the leg especially the knee, and a feeling of tightness around the scar.

Any comments gratefully received.  I am seeing physio this week too.

Many thanks

Rose

2

Hello Rose,

Im 10 weeks post RTHR. at 6 weeks I was told, from then, that I could sleep on my operation side if i wanted to but it wasnt mentioned that it would e partcularly beneficial in any way. its not something i have been doing as i dont find it comfortable.  Ask your physio when you see him/her. Lots of luck with your recovery xxxx

3

As part of my physical therapy, my physio did a lot of massage and manipulation to the scar area to break up the scar tissue. That should be enough. I remember it was tender when he did that but it worked to circulate the area. That should suffice and he should do that when he thinks the time is appropriate.

Also there are roller sticks used for therapy that you can buy on Amazon that you can gently roll along the area.

The tightness will eventually dissipate.

Good luck in your recovery.

4

Thank you for your reply Carol.

Advice - on any aspect of this business - seems incredibly variable! One surgeon will advise work on the scar, just by lying on it. Another won't say why you should lie on it, yet another won't even mention it at all.

I saw the physio yesterday and actually forgot to ask her about it, so will call and speak to her. She said I am making good enough progress by myself not to need to go back to her.

Thanks again

Rose

5

Hi Susan

Thanks for your comments.  I can only imagine you don't live in the UK because physios here don't manually work on clients any more - they give you exercises and watch you doing them.  Yesterday I was linked up to a kind of TENS machine to try to relieve my sore knee on the operated side for about 15 minutes.

All in all, I think I will go along to the scar specialist to get some relief from the site.  It's also still numb for at least 5cms below it along the whole length, which seems a bit odd after four & a half weeks.

Thanks again - 

Rose

6

Youre right Rose, lots of variations on advice, treatment etc. Well done that you are doing so well not to need physio any more, thats great progress.

Good luck in the future xxx

7

Hi Rose,

I have also been having "massage" to my scar site from my physio. It's not comfortable when she does it but it is getting better and better. My OS told me to rub the scar firmly with E45 lotion in circular movements up and down the scar to desensitise it. Mine was very tight at 4 weeks. Big difference by 8 weeks with rubbing it daily. I can only now lie on the op side and still only for half an hour at a time. Not sure it makes it less tight. Walking and my gentle physio exercises are helping it. Lots if nerves repairing themselves there.

You are still early in the healing process for your scar - you will notice big changes week on week. I was really worried about mine at the stage you are at but it is so much better now. The physio should help a lot.

Sam

8

Thanks so much Sam - a really helpful.

I haven't been told by anyone to rub the scar, but my neighbour told me she was encouraged to lie on her side, as I said above.

I have made an appointment with a clinical massage therapist who specialises in facial release and scars, but not until 24th April to give me a bit more healing time.

Thanks again

Rose

9

Any good quality massage oil will suffice. Rub it in, then firmly massage across the scar, not along it. That is what breaks up the keloid. I used a cold pressed jojoba oil with a few drops of lavender, and after the massage I used a silicon gel over the top to promote scarless healing. I'm now five months post op, and you can barely see the scar at all.

10

Wow, that's impressive.  I had not remembered jojoba and lavender, and have been using calendula.  I still think general massage and fascial release might be useful, even one session to see how it makes me feel. She will not be working directly on the scar until I've seen OS for 8-week checkup on 8 May, ie she would rather have his agreement. It's pretty expensive but I know how much training is involved so don't mind.

thanks Beth

Rose

11

Hi

I was told by my physio at the 6 weeks check up to massage across the scar with a moisturiser to stimulate and desensitize the nerve endings. I've been doing this now for 7 weeks and it works. It was uncomfortable to start with but gets better.