Post-Operative Wound Care

Caring for your wound after hip or knee surgery is an important part of your recovery. With the right care, most wounds heal well without complications. This video explains what to expect and how to look after your surgical wound at home. Before you leave hospital, your wound will be covered with a protective dressing. This dressing is designed to stay in place and keep the area clean while healing begins underneath. In most cases, you should leave this dressing undisturbed until your wound check appointment, at around two weeks. Dissolvable stitches are typically used, so you will not need stitches removed. These gradually break down beneath the skin over several weeks. Occasionally, some suture material may work its way to the surface — this is usually nothing to worry about and can be trimmed by your nurse. Keeping your wound clean and dry is one of the most important things you can do during the early healing period. This helps reduce the risk of infection and supports good recovery. You may shower once your dressing is waterproof and secure, but avoid soaking the wound in baths, swimming pools, or hot tubs until it has fully healed. After showering, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing. Also, avoid applying creams or lotions near the wound. Some bruising, swelling, skin puckering and mild redness around the wound edges is normal in the first two weeks. You may also notice a small amount of clear or slightly blood-stained fluid on the dressing. This usually settles within the first week, as healing progresses and is not typically a cause for concern. In revision surgery with longer wounds and more tissue dissection, wound oozing may last up to three weeks. This should not be associated with worsening pain, an unpleasant smell, or pus - these are signs that medical review is warranted. Darkening or lightening of the skin around the wound is not uncommon following surgery. As the dissolvable sutures degrade, this causes an inflammatory reaction, hence redness and mild discomfort along the length of the wound is common. Signs that suggest wound infection instead are - increasing redness that spreads beyond the wound edges; warmth or tenderness that worsens rather than improves; thick or discoloured discharge, an unpleasant smell; or a fever with raised temperature. If these are present urgent review is required. Please contact your GP, the hospital, or my secretary promptly. Early treatment of infection can prevent more serious complications and helps protect your new joint. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not rub against your wound during the healing period. For knee surgery, avoid tight trousers or jeans in the early weeks. For hip surgery, loose-fitting underwear and clothing with soft waistbands can help reduce irritation around the incision site. Avoid touching your wound with unwashed hands, and do not pick at any scabs or crusting that may form. These are part of the natural healing process. Keeping the area protected helps new tissue form properly and reduces the risk of scarring. At your two-week wound check, a nurse will remove your dressing, inspect the wound, and confirm that healing is progressing well. If any concerns are identified, appropriate action will be taken at that stage. Further follow-up with me is usually arranged at six weeks after surgery. With good wound care, most patients heal without difficulty and can focus on their rehabilitation. The NHS website offers additional guidance on post-surgical wound care. For any concerns about your wound, please contact my secretary Maya Rahman.