Hi All, I am 42 and had my right hip totally replaced 7 weeks ago, everything so far has been on track i have stuck to all my guidelines and what in my mind i could do, Have not driven yet and have gradually built my strength up, i dropped to one crutch at week 4 and could feel everything still going well, then i got to week 6 and my foot started swelling to ridiculous size, i moved from my uncomfy chair to propping myself up on the sofa and within 4 days the swelling had gone, The problem i face now is excruciating pain all around my knee, i am wondering if this is down to being sat in a different position and all my muscles have suffered, Any body have similar or any advice please. Many Thanks
Gary
I had a very swollen knee but a combination of icepacks and keeping the knee raised kept it down...no probs now since about 9 or 10 weeks when I became more active...use a stepper or even bottom stair to keep stepping up and down.....
Go back to 2 crutches, use ice packs and do static and inner range quads exercises. Some of the problem is because you are using the muscles in that leg differently, You should be getting a follow-up check around now, if it doesn't get any better over the next few days then contact your consultant's secretary and see if you can get it brought forward.
If that doesn't happen then go and see your GP. If there is a hitch then the sooner you get professional advice the better. I hope the knee doesn't feel hot and still goes through its usual range of motion. If either of these is true then I would go to A&E and get it checked out.
I had the reverse problem, my knees hurt before the operation. I had a bilateral hip replacement. before the op my body was twisted, I was bow legged and walked kipper footed. After the operation and several months later, I straightened up and the pain in my knees went away. I am no longer bow legged or kipper footed. I suggest you take it a bit easy, Sit in a higher seated chair with no pressure on the back of your knees. go from one crutch to two sticks. Your body has to readjust itself to having the new bits fitted. Dont sit for too long but when you do elevate it. If in doubt get back to the consultant surgeon and tell him of your concerns. Good luck.
At about 6-8 weeks post surgery is what anything that can go wrong goes wrong. It is what i've learned from this forum. I, too, at about the same time had a relapse with huge pain in the groin area and the leg. I blamed it on over exercising. I think what you are going thru is probably normal during the recovery. Just maintain your diet and exercise routine and wait it out. If it does not get better in a 2-3 weeks go see your doctor.
As most THR patients I had swelling in my knee and ankle,very worrying,but it reduced at around 3wks.
I kept with my 2 crutches outdoors for about 12wks,.
Maybe you've overdoing it going down to 1 stick to early?
You did right to rest up,as you say your swelling went down.
As said if no improvement see your GP or worst case scenario go to A&E..I did this at 3wks worried my swollen knee/ankle was DVT..I waited there six hours to be told to come back 3days later for a Doppler scan..
No DVT was found,but I like you I was worried..it's stress you don't need after a major operation.
Take it easy,as has been said before it's not a recovery race.
It has been very interesting reading all your answers, as I also have been going through the same problems as Gary, my consultant said my knee was still swollen. The physio suggested to keep on with the exercises but if it did not get better within 3wks to go to my own doctor, and get it checked out.