Hello, I had an accident where I work and broke my hip on 16 April, Ihad a plate and screws put in the next morning to save having a THR. Struggled in hospital getting mobile due to feeling faint and blood pressure dropping so unable to get up on the zimmer properly for a week. Home after 10 days and physio came out to assess. Gave me some exercises to do but today I did lots and walked with the frame more than before. So now my leg and foot has swollen up/area around top of thigh is warm and I’m a bit worried. I’m taking apixiban twice a day now and had fragmin from day one of surgery til starting apixiban so I presume that’s taken care of the issue of blood clots. No pain in my calf. Have I literally just overdone the physio pushing it too far? I’m comparatively young for this type of surgery at 48 and previously fit so I just want to get back to being normal again, been a massive shock to the system. Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
Wow you've been through the wars, I had full hip replacement so very different to you however, I would say you need to take it easy, elevate your legs a hour a day, little and often for mobility to start I'd say... I'm 12 weeks in and my swelling has only just started going completely. Good luck x
Hi Penny, thanks for replying. Yes it’s been a dreadful 10 days, you don’t expect to go to work and smash your hip in! I think I just need to slow it down a bit. I put together a physio schedule for myself but I think I’ve just pushed myself too far. Are you walking ok now? From what the surgeon told me the surgery I had is better as in I kept my own hip bulb/tissue so not needing it to be redone in 10 years but it’s more complicated, painful for recovery and takes longer to get back to normal than a THR. It’s all a bit rubbish haha! X
I imagine you’ve perhaps overdone the physio exercises and the walking, as you say, Vanessa. I, too, was very physically active prior to hip fracture (I have an IM nail, screwed at the knee and at the hip) and it’s very difficult to accept being so immobile and inactive when you’re not used to it.
My fracture was three months ago: in hospital for three weeks. It feels like a very long-haul. Was not allowed to bear weight on fractured leg, then spent six weeks on zimmer, toe-touch only. Am still on crutches.
Good luck. I think a fracture is very different from a planned THR! This forum seems to be mostly the latter, so it’s good to find a fellow fracture!
Hi Vanessa, I'm just over 4 weeks post Op with THR and also had very swollen leg and ankle and very hot, due to pushing myself to walk more than usual.
I spent almost a whole day with my legs elevated and lots of ice, and the next day almost all the swelling had gone, l had the hotness for quite a few days longer but with ice that also went away.
I'm also walking without a walker or a cane and driving, and l think this is all due to elevation and ice, l do some physio every other day, and rest in between.
I hope this helps, and good luck on your recovery.
Hi vanessa
No I still need a crutch and have a massive limp/waddle I have a job I interview next week so I'm hoping they see past my lack of mobility it's an office job so fingers crossed cos I still got bills to pay. I'm focusing on strengthening my bum cheek as my husband said it's dropped 🤣
I had an accident too. Got THR on 10/19. No pins or plates. Back at the gym on 10/20. No problems. Dr. said pins and plates wouldn’t work nor would a partial replacement work. Broke the femur just below the ball.
How did they repair the femur? Mine was comminuted femur fracture...was told THR not possible,
I understand trying to get back to normal I'm usually in the yard all the time going out and doing different activities unable to do it now a lot of clicking in my hip.