I just had knee surgery and I need a bath?

Question

I have this weird cast like thing on, it is not hard cause my whole knee is swollen but it keeps my leg straight. People have said use a bag and duct tape, but it is very crucial I not get it wet and i am afrais water will swwp through somehow and infect my knee!! am I being over cautious?

Answer 1

You're doctor should have explained this all to you. I would suggest calling the office - they will let you know. If you can't do this, then you could try a sponge bath. It's a little silly, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 2

you should here this from your doctor more than anyone here..

Answer 3

taking a bath after a surgery or while having a cast is a difficult thing.  You don't want to get it wet for a couple of reasons.  First, of course, is you don't want to get anything in it.  Your skin acts as a barrier to prevent things from getting into your body that can cause you infections.  At the surgery site, your skin is open and is an avenue for infection from what you are washing off your body.  Secondly, getting the site wet, especially when you can't dry it effectively, can cause the tissue around the site to swell with water and soften.  If you have stitches, this can cause them to tear loose more easily.

The drug store has a sleeve that can be worn on your leg that will help prevent water from getting into the wound while you take a shower.  Ultimately, at least until the stitches come out or the wound heals, it's probably better to take a sponge bath.  It's no where near as good as a regular bath, but remember that it is only for a short time and you want your knee to heal properly.  Getting an infection in your surgery site is more than unpleasant - it's painful and can cause you further complications.  Don't take the risk.  The fact that it keeps your leg straight makes you a prime candidate for falling while in the shower, you don't want to risk a fall and damaging the work they have already done on your knee and having to endure that again.  Settle for the sponge bath until you are more mobile and able to enjoy your shower.

Answer 4

Yes; you need to wrap your leg in the white rolled bandage, then in ace wrap and then wrap in a garbage bag.  Then tape the end of the garbage bag to your skin with medical tape (NOT duct tape). You can get medical tape at the drug store; get the one that is like a cotton material and about 2" wide. Make sure to go over the tape with a few layers and go all the way around.  Make sure it is sealed good. Your leg may get a little wet, but that is fine; just dry it off as soon as you get out of the shower.  And SHOWER, take a small chair in and sit on it. DO NOT take a bath; that will get you wet and you won't be able to get back out.  Take your time; a shower after both my surgeries would take about an hour from start to finish.  When you get out of the shower; take the garbage off as well as both bandages. You can take a washcloth and wipe off the area of the leg that was covered by the garbage bag and then dry thourghly.  Then change the bandages and ace wrap for new ones.  Then take a long nap b/c you're going to be exhausted. haha.

The also sell "shower sleeves" at some local drug stores that can be put over the knee during showering instead of the garbage bag.  I got one for this next surgery.

**these people here obviously have never had knee surgery; they didn't give me any instructions on bathing except not to get it wet either for both surgeries....

Answer 5

Sponge bath.