If you are slated to undergo a knee replacement procedure, you may be wondering what your future scar will look like. Some people like the idea of a scar because it tells a story, while others want to do everything in their power to minimize the visibility of their scar so that their legs and knees maintain a more natural appearance. While you aren’t going to be able to completely eliminate the appearance of a scar after a knee replacement procedure, there are some things you can do to reduce its visibility and make it less noticeable. We share some tips for reducing knee scar visibility after surgery in today’s blog.
Reducing Scar Visibility After Knee Replacement Surgery
If you’re hoping to minimize the appearance of your surgical scar after knee replacement surgery, here are some tips you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Consider Minimally Invasive Surgery – While this tip may sound obvious, many patients aren’t aware that minimally invasive knee replacement is an option. For the right patient, Dr. Botero can perform a minimally invasive knee replacement procedure that involves a scar that is about four inches in size, which is way smaller than the scar you’ll have after an open knee replacement. Find a specialist with a wealth of experience performing minimally invasive knee replacement procedures and talk with them to see if you are an ideal candidate.
- Keep Your Incision Site Clean – After surgery, you’ll want to follow your doctor’s instructions and keep the incision site as clean as possible. Keeping the site clean and reducing your risk of an infection can ensure that the skin closes as expected, which will help to minimize the appearance of a scar. If you believe that you may be dealing with an infection, reach out to your surgeon as soon as possible.
- Avoid Getting The Scar Wet – Your doctor will talk with you about how to care for your incision site, including when you may be able to submerge the knee in water and how to go about taking a shower. Moisture can delay wound healing and reopen delicate skin during the healing process, so you’ll want to keep the area as dry as possible during your recovery. Oftentimes patients will be told to avoid submerging their wound in a bath, a pool or a lake for at least two months after their procedure, but be sure you follow the individual advice of your treating surgeon.
- Don’t Touch The Area – Try to avoid touching the wound site unless your hands are disinfected and you’re cleaning the area. We understand that it may be tempting to touch the scar or try to remove scabs that have developed, but those actions can end up making the scar more visible. Don’t touch the area while healing is running its course.
- Use Ointments and Creams As Recommended – Finally, you can see if your knee surgeon has any recommendations for ointments, creams or products to help with wound healing or infection prevention. Make sure that any product you are considering is approved by your surgeon, as using topical products incorrectly can lead to more problems. Use these products as directed and as instructed by your physician.
We know that we can help minimize the appearance of your scar, and we’ll be happy to provide some individual recommendations for your specific surgery and scar. For more information, or to talk to a specialist about knee replacement surgery, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today at (865) 558-4444.
