How To Shower After ACL Surgery?

Any surgical procedure comes with a set of post-operative instructions that you need to follow for a successful recovery. Most individuals would want to know when it is safe to take a shower after the surgery. Generally, it is always indicated to keep the surgical site dry and clean. You will be asked to avoid wetting the site for a few days after the procedure to lower the risk of an infection at the surgical site. Read on to know more about how and when to shower after an ACL surgery.

What is ACL Surgery?

ACL surgery is the replacement of your ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is the major ligament of your knee. Its primary function is to hold your knee bones together and provide knee stability. Your surgeon will replace the torn ligament with a graft (a tissue taken from your other knee or a deceased donor) and close the wound with sutures. The ACL surgery is carried out as an outpatient procedure, you can return home the same day.

Can You Shower Immediately After Surgery?

When you get home, one of the first things you want to do is take a warm shower. However, you will not be able to shower immediately following your surgery. Your surgeon will advise you to wait for 2 to 3 days, and it is done to prevent infection and improve healing. The ideal time to shower after your surgery depends on the procedure performed and the closure method.

How Should You Take a Shower After Surgery?

You are now ready to shower, but maintaining wound hygiene keeps you on edge. We have compiled all the information you need to know to shower safely and prevent infection and injury.

1. Keep your Dressing/Bandage- Your surgeon will apply a dressing/bandage on the incision site. You must keep the bandage until 48 to  72 hours. Due to the shape of the legs, the dressing may slip and fall off- do not worry and reapply the dressing at home, taking all aseptic precautions. You should not wet your dressing during this time. Your surgeon will remove the dressing after 48 to 72 hours. After that also, it is advisable not to splash water directly on the incision site as you may increase the risk of infecting it.
2. Always keep your incision clean and dry

The dressing on your knee is usually removed 10 to 14 days following surgery. You must avoid soaking your knee till that time and must keep the operated area dry. Wear a plastic covering over your knee dressing to keep your wound dry while taking a shower. Although the dressing may occasionally be waterproof, the plastic covering will offer an additional layer of security. Ensure the plastic cover is sealed correctly, then carefully remove it to remove any excess water that may have accumulated on top of the surface of the plastic.

3. Use a bath stool or chair for support

You may experience significant pain and swelling in the first few days following ACL surgery, making it difficult to stand while showering. You can sit on a bath stool or a chair while showering until your knee improves and you are confident enough to stand in the shower. Sponge cleaning is yet another alternative until you are comfortable with balancing in the shower. While sitting on a chair to take a shower, you may choose to rest your operated leg on a stool.

4. Be cautious of slippery floors

In the first few days following ACL surgery, be cautious of slippery floors to prevent any unexpected knee movements. Use non-slip rugs on the floor or non-slip bathroom slippers to reduce the chance of any falls or slips. You can also use a water-resistant stool to sit on. You need to be extra careful to avoid any falls or slips, especially in the first 1-2 weeks of surgery.

5. Avoid Getting Soap/Shampoo on the incision site

After the bandage is removed, your incision site will still be at risk of getting infected. You can take a shower with water but make sure not to use shampoo or soap as it may seep down to the incision site and cause infection and delayed healing.

Cover the incision site: 

Avoid getting soap or shampoo on the incision site:

6. Avoid bathing in a tub or pool

Avoid swimming or taking a bath in a tub since it’s crucial to maintain the dressing dry at all times. Doctors generally recommend submerging the leg in water after three weeks. However, to ensure there are no complications and the incision has fully healed, wait for at least 24 hours following suture removal before swimming or taking a bath in a tub. If there are zero complications, you will get to fully immerse the knee in water within 3 weeks of the ACL surgery.

7. Use a handheld showerhead 

A handheld (removable) showerhead  can let you control the flow of water. Ensure the shower head is not aimed directly at the surgical site since high-pressure water applied to the wound might result in damage and slow healing.

8. Avoid warm water on the knee 

You need to prevent warm water from flowing over the top of the plastic covering you’re using for the bad knee. This is because warm water (heat) can cause swelling in the surrounding tissues and lead to dilation of the surrounding blood vessels.

9. Have a towel close by and pat the area dry

Before going for a shower, keep a towel close by so that it is easily reachable afterward. Avoid rubbing on the dressing and gently pat it dry. After showering, you can replace the waterproof bandage with a dry one. 

Takeaway

Surgery can disrupt your daily routine, making even the simplest things difficult.  The recovery period after ACL surgery is lengthy and challenging, but it is advisable to keep your incision clean as it may delay the healing process and cause infections. However, if you follow your post-surgery instructions for wound care and rehabilitation methods, you should be able to overcome these challenges sooner than you think. 

Doctors normally recommend showering 2 to 3 days following surgery; however, asking your surgeon when you may be permitted to shower is always advisable. Contact our team of specialists at Medfin, who can guide you further on the recovery measures after an ACL surgery..

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Disclaimer: The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.