scar after hip op: hi I've got a large... - Arthritis Action

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scar after hip op

Jeppy profile image
38 Replies

hi

I've got a large scar from my hip op a few weeks ago, I'm a bit bewildered as had mixed messages, and wondered if you have had success to improve it, lol my bikini days are over but I'm shocked how 'bulbous ' it is. And a physio said to massage three times a day with oil but the registrar last week said this is completely wrong as it prevents muscle healing below?.

Any successes please? I thought muscle healed relatively quicker in the early weeks but may be wrong

Thanks what a wonderful site as reading on internet can be unhelpful! xx

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Jeppy profile image
Jeppy
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38 Replies
Jalia profile image
Jalia

Can't be much help to you other than to say that the scar from my hip replacement 14 months ago is virtually undetectable! I was not given any instructions to oil or massage so left well alone .

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Jalia

thanks for reply. Wow that's amazing. Is it a jumbo scar or new modern little one?

Jalia profile image
Jalia in reply to Jeppy

I guess it's the little one. I've heard that my surgeon's needlework is particularly good!

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Jalia

o I see. Hard to compare then if he's a especially good sewer

lizziep profile image
lizziep

Hi. I had a hip replacement 6 months ago. I have a large scar and like you thought it was going to stay red and lumpy. However after the first few months the scar is getting less red and raised each week and although it’s not going to disappear it definitely is so much better and still fading. Hope you find the same 😊

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to lizziep

h there's hope there thanks

I was just in shock I think when saw extent of it I'm a bit plump and it's kind of bulbous don't like being vain. The smaller inscisssion method is fortunate x

lizziep profile image
lizziep in reply to Jeppy

I am overweight but don’t think that causes the bumpy appearance. I haven’t used any oil but the dr at my post op appointment did say I could as my problem was lack of any feeling around the scar but that is coming back now.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to lizziep

me too a bit numb here & there

The registrar said not to massage with oil 🤷‍♀️. As it prevents muscles below from healing. ? But how long is that for I don't know, I thought they healed quite quickly. Confusing

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to lizziep

did you put any oil on Lizzie or massage it🤔

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947

This is quite normal so don't worry

willat profile image
willat

hi I have one that’s brilliant and another bumpy. I think the advice should be let it heal them after the 6 weeks start to massage the scar etc. my was extremely painful

To touch for a year and had no meat over the joint but is lot better now.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to willat

thanks. Mines a bit tender. Why do you think yours are different is one new? Or it's as good as surgeon on the day🤔

Did you have a same d surgeon both times?

Happy5 profile image
Happy5 in reply to Jeppy

I had more pain after the left hip was done, whereas the right was more straight forward. The surgeon explained each leg is different in response to surgery.

willat profile image
willat in reply to Jeppy

same surgeon and it’s just muscle layout and how it stitches.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to willat

d sorry what's muscle layout

willat profile image
willat in reply to Jeppy

where they cut and length of scar and how the joint is fitted. When the muscles and tissues have been moved they are stitched back but may leave gaps or scar tissue during recovery. So I have a dip where I can touch the bone with no flesh. .

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to willat

thankyiu for explaining. I expect the scar tissue remains

Happy5 profile image
Happy5

Ok my right hip site was quite "bulbous" as you put it I massaged E45 cream as instructed into the scar area, not the whole muscle. I did my exercises twice daily and kept as active as possible to help strengthen the area. I'd say after about 12 weeks/ three months it was returning to the normal look, and the scar was reducing so not too obvious.

As to bikini days they were already gone in my case lol.

Now couple of years on scarring etc all fine. Body healing is individual and needs to take time.

All the best.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Happy5

Helpful. many thanks for perspective! ( felt I'd hit brick wall of sorts, after care has been v sketchy even re having a shower, Mixed messages from physio at hosp and consultant unfortunately I live a long way from hospital so Iv got different local physio but you only get 3 or 4 I believe, I had to fight for it it's so sad at moment as we know)

Thanks again

Hiplucy profile image
Hiplucy

My scar was quite prominent initially, and it was a good year before I could sleep on my operated side. I am not a fiddler, so I had no interest in touching or massaging it. It's now been three years, and I can barely see it. I had a rather large incision, and it was closed with staples. As with most things, time is the answer.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy

that's great. Pleased for you and reassuring time is healer. I feel silly as got myself in but of state scar being least of it but getting a way through now re exercises etc. Sadly there's breakdown in my area of after care after reading others posts I havnt even got into bath for shower yet lol fear of dislocating and registrar says just wash 🤷‍♀️🙄😊

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLady in reply to Jeppy

I had shoulder replacement just before the first covid lockdown in 2020 -no physio, no F2F follow up with surgeon at the 6 weeks mark…just a phone call.

Fortunately I had previously had knee and hip replaced so had an idea of what to do -so downloaded exercises and went from there.

Did manage to get stitches removed from nurse at GP surgery though.

I did see the surgeon 2years later because of minor issue with rotator cuff (same shoulder) - he was most apologetic and quite upset that so many had been left in the lurch -but confirmed operation itself was successful -and it is!

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to DorsetLady

very pleased for you 😊👍

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLady in reply to Jeppy

You’ll be fine - just give it time …

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to DorsetLady

yes's. Thnx.

They do amazing job

Hiplucy profile image
Hiplucy in reply to Jeppy

OK, promise not to tell anyone...Less that three months after my hip replacement I had to go from my home in the US to my sister's flat in London. She was dying of cancer. Her flat had an old-fashioned claw-foot bathtub, and there was no way I could get in. There was no shower. So for more that two months I had to settle for what we in the US call a sponge bath, but the Brits so charmingly call a "strip wash." Once a week I knelt beside the tub and washed my hair with a hand-held shower attachment. Guess what? I looked and smelled perfectly presentable.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Hiplucy

So sorry it was a very sad occasion

Lol I asked my daughter if I am acceptable as it's 9 weeks now. . She also has shower over bath.

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Hiplucy

,.,.I think of folk in war zones etc. In fact I amaze at how presentable they look in such dyer conditions

Cat33 profile image
Cat33

Now don't you worry I have had both my hips replaced and yes it's a big scar at first but now no one would ever know You will be fine I promise 100%

It's such early days x

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Cat33

🥰 ty. I just got overwhelmed. X

Cat33 profile image
Cat33

Awww it takes time but you will look back and think "what was I worried about " I had my first hip replacement on March 31st 2017 I said to my surgeon will I be ok for my son's wedding at the beginning of July He said I guarantee you will be up dancing Well I was fine long before that and danced the night away Don't worry please It a major op and yes you will be overwhelmed at the moment but you will be fine and the main thing is you will be pain free and it's the best thing ever xx

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to Cat33

im so pleased for you. Thankyou for kindness. My surgeon phoned after thread. I know I will be probably longer as he's explained my pelvis tilt haas caused heel discrepancy and limp but hopefully this can eventually righten. I was years pre op it made for a long time compensation

But to be able to stand up already without pain or doing a funny movement to get up yes is amaxing. I long to dance again it was my fav hobby x

ChrissiG profile image
ChrissiG

I had a horrible lumpy wide purple scar on my knee after my TKR. I thought I could never wear shorts again! But it has slowly improved and now - 5 years later - is barely noticeable. So - not a quick fix I’m afraid but time does dramatically improve it.

Picture of knee showing faded scar
Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to ChrissiG

that looks great im pleased for the positive!! :).

I finally saw surgeon today at 13 wks. I saw registra at 8 weeks and I suppose I hadn't processed what had happened at that point

Today he said my pelvis will correct and I need to now let go of restrictions and be more myself can it be right he said body does everything to protect itself after injury and trauma and it will correct so everything crossed

ChrissiG profile image
ChrissiG in reply to Jeppy

well that sounds hopeful and it’s true your body goes into weird spasms locking up and trying to protect damaged joints or tissues. So it makes sense that as you heal things will relax and go back to normal. I think a positive attitude helps enormously in recovery. 😊

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy in reply to ChrissiG

I agree. But I'm now rather cautious that if it seems too good to be true it often is

Time will tell. It's maybe easier to tell me this then in a year it won't feel so bad as got used to it. Bit cynical I know protecting self from disappointment I guess My back is a bit banana dare I say been ok to date I feel blessed

Kaye16 profile image
Kaye16

hi I had my hip replacement 12 years ago and noticed after the op the front side of the scar was lovely and flat where the other side was all puckered!!! I asked the surgeon on checkup and his actual words were

“It’s cellulite love”!!!!

I used bio oil and rubbed it daily but it took a few years to settle down, wonder now with putting oil on made it a very slow heal?, also not sure if that was because I’m not a thin person too??

But now it’s fine,

I’m actually having the other hip done in just under a week, see if it happens again,

Jeppy profile image
Jeppy

o good luck. Does everyone need both doing in the scheme of things

Lol my bikini days are over but if I was in needlework I'd have been told to unpick it and flatten and re stitch ! Lol. I'm plump maybe it's harder to do

Numb as well near it but that's ok

Good luck are you having anterior - was yours this or bigger one

Mind b I g!

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