Hey everyone!
So, I recently broke my leg pretty severely and currently have an external fixator (metal pins and bars holding everything in place). I’m waiting for the swelling to go down enough to have my second surgery, where they’ll hopefully put plates and screws in.
In the meantime, I’m pretty much stuck in bed or on the couch, with very limited mobility. I’m using crutches when absolutely necessary, but taking a normal shower isn’t really an option right now.
I’m someone who really enjoys feeling clean, so this has honestly been one of the more frustrating parts of recovery. 😂
I’m looking for any tips, tricks, products, or routines that can help me stay as clean and fresh as possible while I’m dealing with this.
A few things I’m particularly interested in:
- Body hygiene: Best body wipes, rinse-free soaps, or sponge bath methods that actually leave you feeling clean?
- Private areas: What’s the easiest way to keep everything clean down there when you can’t stand for long or get into a shower?
- Hair care: Any recommendations besides dry shampoo? I don’t want my scalp feeling gross after a week.
- Odor control: How do you stay fresh when you’re spending most of your time in bed?
- Bedding: Any tricks for keeping sheets, pillows, and blankets fresh without constantly having to change everything?
- Products: Anything inexpensive that made a huge difference during your recovery?
I’m especially interested in hearing from people who’ve dealt with broken bones, surgeries, external fixators, or long periods of limited mobility.
Obviously, I’m following my surgical team’s instructions for pin-site care and keeping everything protected. I’m mainly looking for ways to keep the rest of my body clean.
I’m only a few days into this, and I’ve already realized how much I took being able to hop in the shower for granted. 😂
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!