DVT after twelve weeks THR

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello fellow hippies , I had my LTHR mid December, was on Clexane injections for six weeks , kept up the PT exercises. slow but sure recovery up to ten weeks, then felt I was marking time, right ankle started swelling and wouldn't go down. Went to the Doc at twelve weeks - he said to come back if it didn't go down. Well this week I finally went back - he did a blood test and then sent me for an ultrasound yesterday.  I have a DVT from the ankle to the upper thigh, and have been put on Xeralto. Has anyone else had this experience ? It's all happened so fast .

2

That's rough. It's what many of us afraid of. Hope you have a swift recovery

3

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through. (And what you've been through) I too think that there is something very wrong with the way that I have healed from my THR. I fell down the stairs after I was home. 2 different doctors took X-rays and said everything is fine but I know it's not. I am in constant pain. I had my surgery 13 months ago so I guess I have been in pain for 11 to 12 months. I don't know 🤷‍♀️ what to do anymore. I have pain from my waist to my knee. ????

4

Thank you - it was just a bit unexpected ,after the relatively straightforward recovery period.  

5

That sounds dreadful, Grace. The chronic pain must be so difficult to bear. 

Do you see a physiotherapist? Before my op I found talking to the PT  very helpful - they are into muscles and ligaments as well as bones. Hope you can get some relief soon. 

6

I'm sorry to hear this Clare. Hope fully the clot will resolve quickly. I had my LTHR in mid December too. My surgeon said the clots are so rare. I'm sure under supervision it will go away soon, and you will be better soon. 

7

dear clare, 

that is scary, especially since you were on blood thinners - 

how are you doing otherwise ?   are you being checked ?

please let us know how you are getting on, okay ?   

big warm hug

renee

8

Clare, out of interest did you wear stockings given to you by the hospital and if so for how long?

There seems to be conflicting theories re wearing them etc....

9

So sorry to hear this. I was wondering whether to stop the aspirin but may continue it for a while.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Sam x

10

Hi there, I was told only to wear a stocking on the non operated leg which I did for the six weeks, day and night. It was quite a performance to get it on and off, and it cut  into my ankle and thigh and left bracelet marks. I tried again yesterday but just couldn't get it on properly. It's interesting it is that leg that has the clot. I wondered about getting compression socks instead - what about you? . 

11

Thanks, Sam. Aspirin seems to work for people - a friend ha to come of statins and takes (on GP's advice) a junior aspirin every day. Aspirin always made me sick years ago, so I wasn't prescribed it. The actually surgery has left me pain free since week three or four so I have left off the Diclofenac prescribed for the Osteoarthritis, and the Parcetamol. 

12

Hi Clare

I also had my op in December and I had a DVT too. Unfortunately mine broke off and went into my lung (PE)

I did all the same things as you, injections compression socks exercise...my surgeon said it was back luck - you're not kidding! I was shocked and felt quite depressed as I've never been on tablets for anything. Like you now on the blood thinners xaretto. I've had a check up with the breathing consultant and a chest X-ray now waiting to go back to see if everything is ok. He said once you have had one you are more at risk so flying etc you need to wear the socks and he advised for the future to take one tab day before flying and one day after. I'm going away in June and feel really nervous even though the flight is a reasonably short one. Perhaps we need to start a DVT club!

Take care Julie lie

13

Hi Julie , Thanks for replying - The PE must have been really scary - and yes it is depressing when you think you've done all the right things. I had to sit around quite a bit as I had such pain in the hip before the op , but Id been building up my steps with the App on my phone And trying to lose weight.( I'm now 11.9 from 12.11) I haven't seen the GP since I was at the hospital - it all kicked off on Wednesday . How many weeks after the op was yours? .

Like you I'm meant to be flying in June, Twi short flights from Scotland to Devon and two back. I did ask the A and E Doc, she said it was better to fly than take a long train journey , and keep walking in the airport . Good idea about the DVT club. Take care , Julie , and thanks . Clare xx

14

I'm almost 4 weeks post op and I have been wearing compression stockings and taking blood thinners since day 1.

I was told that it is 6 weeks for wearing stockings but seemingly most only wear them 3-4 weeks. I have 1 months blood thinning medication which I will continue to take but when I hit the 4 week mark I will stop wearing stockings tbh.

I can do gentle cycling at the gym, walk about 30 mins twice a day and do my PT so I feel I am fairly mobile.

15

Julie, I'm in Scotland and I was given Xaretto from day 1.

I assumed everyone got this. We get free prescriptions here somImwonder if this is a factor why we are given it  front

16

Ive sent for some class2 knee socks from Amazon- people seem to use them for running and cycling as well as medical reasons. But I'll check with the GP when I see him. BTW you're doing very well , back at the cycling after 4 weeks, al the best for the future recovery period. Clare 

17

Thanks, Renee. Otherwise I am doing ok, though I've had to drop the Diclofenac which helps with the Osteoarthritis in the other joints. I'm trying to keep off meat and dairy to see if it helps with the other joints. 

How are you doing ? Xx Clare 

18

Thanks,  Barbara ,

I'm hopeful it will be ok 

Is everything going well with you after the op? X

19

I know these tablets are expensive maybe that's why. When I went to my GP the nurse kept mentioning warfarin (loads cheaper) I told her very strongly I wasn't going on it! My husband was originally on it waiting for a heart procedure and it was a nightmare trying to obtain the correct levels.

20

Really well now. But about six weeks after surgery I tore the muscles around the left hip. So I'd lost any progress I'd made. And I was in worse pain than just after surgery. I was back on crutches, codeine, anti inflammatory drugs. And it was depressing....no excercise at all. 

I hope ypu you are improving! Good luck! X