How to Take a Shower After Acl Surgery
Acl surgery is a standard procedure for many suffering from chronic knee pain. While the surgery can provide relief, it also comes with certain precautions that must be considered during recovery. This article will outline how to take a shower after ACL surgery to help minimize discomfort and promote healing.
It is best to avoid hot water the first few days after ACL surgery. The reason for this is that your body will react differently to something too hot or cold, and the inflammation from surgery may cause you pain. Instead, it’s recommended to take a shower at least once a day for about 5 minutes on each side of your body with warm/cool water. Read on to know more information about this topic.
List of Supplies You’ll Need:
- A stool
- Protective gloves (preferably rubber)
- Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs
- A basin for the water
- Towels and clothes
Steps to Follow: How to Take a Shower After Acl Surgery:
Step 1: Cleanse
First, take a washcloth and dampen it with warm water. Then, apply soap to the washcloth. Next, clean your knee joint by rubbing it back and forth gently. Use one hand to brace your leg against the wall for support while you clean.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Next, scrub away dead skin cells. Use a loofah, exfoliating sponge, or pumice stone on your leg. Be sure to apply moisturizer afterward so you don’t dry out your skin further.
Step 3: Disinfect & Dry
Wipe down the area again with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs to disinfect it for surgery on Monday morning. Rinse using a clean cloth and warm water. Dry the area off completely, including behind your knee, where water can settle. You can use a blow-dryer or leave it out to air dry for a minute. If you have long hair, pull it back out of the way so water doesn’t drip down onto your face while washing.
Step 4: Apply Antibiotic Ointment
At this point, you may apply antibiotic ointment to your incisions if you have been told to do so. Make sure to use a generous amount and rub it in thoroughly. Wait 15 minutes before showering.
Step 5: Test the Water
Before entering the shower, test the water temperature with your arm/hand. Adjust the temperature to be comfortable on your skin if it’s too hot or cold.
Step 6: Get in and Wash
Wrap a washcloth around your knee joint to help support it while you stand. Then, step into the shower and turn on the water with one hand. You can flip up the rubber glove on the other hand and use it to catch
water. Finally, use your free hand to hold onto something for support, like a hook or towel rack.
Step 7: Wash Your Hair
Wet your hair with running water, then shampoo it as usual. Be sure to rinse thoroughly so you don’t get soap into your incision wound. Next, apply conditioner, rinse it out, then run water through your hair again to ensure all the product is gone.
Step 8: Wash Your Body
Wash your body with a washcloth while standing in the shower. Use soap on your other arm or hand if needed. Ensure you clean behind your knee entirely by wrapping the washcloth around it. Rinse off and dry yourself off using a towel.
Step 9: Pat Yourself Dry
Gently pat yourself dry with the towel, beginning at your legs and working up to your upper body. Clean any wet areas left behind (like behind your knee) again with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs.
Step 10: Apply Neosporin & Coverup
Apply a small amount of Neosporin to any incisions and cover them with bandages. Then, put on fresh clothes and enjoy your shower!
You Can Check It Out to Shower After Microblading
Tips to Prevent Infection After Acl Surgery:
1. Be careful while taking a shower to avoid getting water in your incision area. Use warm water and mild soap if desired, or just wet some washcloth with some hot water, wipe down the incision area, then pat dry.
2. Avoid shaving around your incision site unless advised by your doctor. Shaving can lead to bacterial skin infections and bumps under your incision site.
3. Keep your incision as dry as possible, even after showering. Do not apply lotion to the scar area or go swimming for up to one month after surgery. Also, wait at least 72 hours before getting a tattoo or using makeup around the scar area. These activities can lead to an infection resulting in scar tissue buildup.
4. Don’t use powders or deodorants inside your cast. The powder can irritate the skin, and deodorant can increase sweating, leading to infection.
5. If you have stitches on your incision site, don’t soak them with water or let them get wet during a shower. If the stitches get wet, they can easily tear and infected.
6. Your doctor may advise you to take a shower following surgery, but be aware that some doctors choose not to allow their patients to take showers after surgery because it can cause swelling and pain if done improperly.
7. Use the back of your wrist to help prevent water from running into your incision area or cast.
8. If you have stitches, don’t allow them to get wet during a shower. If the stitches get wet, they can easily tear and infected.
Conclusion:
If you have undergone ACL surgery, the first thing that must be done is avoid taking a shower. A shower can cause complications with recovery and lead to an infection in your incision area. It may not seem like it would take much time for a person to wash their body without getting under the water, but after knee replacement surgery, this task becomes difficult.
This means that those recovering from knee replacements need assistance from others or the use of special aids such as bathing chairs which make washing easier on the knees. To help prevent infection, follow these tips when taking care of yourself post-surgery. We hope you found this blog on how to take a shower after acl surgery post helpful. If you have any questions, please let us know!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
