Hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Since hip replacement 10 days ago my lower thigh, knee & lower leg is badly swollen. No problem at site of incission

2

I swelled up for 12 weeks and was told to put my legs up 3 times a day with feet higher than heart. I bought the digital leg compressor massager rather like what they put out on lower legs in hospital. Proved a godsend.  Don't stand up,without moving I.e., don't stand still.  But I believe rest is more important than all the exercise as you can overdo it according to many posts on this site. 

3

Try raising you lower leg and plenty of frozen peas.....it does go down eventually....keep up your exercises too!! 

4

Davyboyok,

 The swelling is common. Just make sure you drink lots of water, continue to ice your hip, elevate the leg and do your exercises. The swelling should go down soon. Bruising on the foot is also common because of the way they use it to move the leg during surgery. My swelling was gone at 2 1/2 wks. I am 11 wks post THR

and feel great. Still some pain when getting up, but that's about it. Just don't over

do it.

Hang in there.

Kathee

5

Very early days. My legs and feet were swollen for weeks, thought they would never go down but they have. Advice here from those who know plus exercise and patience will do it

6

Hi davyboyok 

I'm 8 wks post op an im having alot of pressure and pain an swelling on my knee surgeon said this could happen up to 6mths after hip replacement 😞

7

Remember ice & elevation & ur swelling will go down 

8

Hello

when i had my hip operation in April,my knee on the same leg was quite painfully. I thought it was due to operation...swelling and pain in knee lasted about 4 weeks pent of ice and resting it helped loads and now knee is fine. I also use bio oil once stitches came out on scar

..amazing stuff

exercising is important but remember to rest plenty as well

good luck in your recovery

9

After my first THR 7 years ago, no one told me to elevate the leg, so my leg swelled down to the toes and I ended up haveing to have an ultrasound to make sure there was no DVT.  The problem was sorted that time with drugs, elevated leg and exercise.

I had my second THR (other leg) on 5 Nov, so am now 6 weeks post op.  My leg started to swell a little and I realised that I had done a lot less exercise the previous day (my pedometer allows me to measure my daily steps), so I made sure I did a little more exercise and the swelling went back down.

Keep up a sensible level of exercise, rest with your legs elevated and I'm sure the issue will be resolved.  (Did your hospital give you DVT drugs?)

10

Hi davyboyok

I think most of us have had swelling.  Mine lasted for at least 4 weeks.  As I've said many times on here, if I'd been on my feet too long, my toes felt as if they would explode!  No-one, at hospital, told me to wear an elastic stocking, but it was suggested on this forum and really did help! As others have said, you also need to put your feet up every now and again plus exercise.  I'm convinced the short walks helped the most.  My swelling was such that it was an effort to go for a short walk, most days, but I forced myself, as my physio said it would help to move the fluid.  My leg was rarely swollen very much when I first got out of bed but built up during the day.

The good news is that I'm now 17/18 weeks post op and feel like a new woman! No mobility problems!  Feel able to cope with taking short walks with my lively 3 year old grandson too!! However, I still have some discomfort some days but realise I've overdone it the day before and it soon passes. I'm now accepting that total recovery is likely to take a good 6 months, at least! My family say I've been a terrible patient because I've often tried to run before I could walk. So take it steady! Good luck with your recovery!!

Pat

11

Hi Barhi. Yes the hospital gave me DVT drug a 5 week supply.But nosebleeds are becoming a bit of a problem so I may need to seek advice. I have heard that many hospitals do not supply DVT drugs.

12

Hope things get better for you soon.

13

Hi Kathee,

Due to tight elastic stocking have developed blister on my ankle.This is weeping fluid but is no bother.

14

Swelling is pretty normal.  Keep your doctor informed and elevation and ice are your best friends during this period post op.   Not having any problems at the site of your incision is great.  Hang on, it can be a bumpy road but you will heal.

Take care,

Dawn

15

Yes, I wore the compression socks too and it helped considerably.

Dawn US

16

Hi I had swollen and tightness in my knee, I had X-ray and blood tests all came back normal. They said my hamstring too tight so been doing exercises for this, it has definitely improved until yesterday when I knocked it getting out of the car. Got ice pack on today hoping it will improve for tomorrow night. 

How is your knee and what advice did your doctors give you 

17

This thread has been very helpful and positive. Had my THR last Monday 29th Dec. I am in a lot of pain at moment but getting there with the analgesia. I am trying to do the simple excersises regular and only assumed that the legs should be raised when sitting as per norm. Feeling I wont yet cope alone without hubby, he goes back to work tomorrow so let's see what tomorrow brings. My leg is very bruised, up like a tree trunk round thigh. No pain in scar/incision area, all below that - prob where pin is down the bone? Was sent home with stockings and told categorically must wear for 6wks, dvt meds for 4 was but no raised seat advise. Wasn't bothered as elderly mum who lives with us had one so using her bathroom. However, even though it's raised I find toileting the most uncomfortable of all regarding pain. Never realised how difficult it would be to pee! It was bad enough prior op getting on off loo but it's hilarious at the moment. Don't know what the neighbours must think with my moaning and shouting! I am hoping my story will be a success but any tips from anyone will help. 58yr female (suffer Fibromyalgia & Growth Hormone a Deficiency but apart from that in decent health, bit overweight!! )

18

Hi.   I had a right hip replacement four weeks ago, no problems with the scar or hip, but right leg badly swollen and very sore especially in the mornings,  I'm assured that it's normal in 'some' patients, and swollen legs and feet have been known to last several months. I think we are the unlucky ones

19

I had my right THR done August 30, 2016. I have to admit, at this point,

it is the worst of all my surgeries… how many you ask? Well since 2010,

I have had 5 on my left shoulder, 1 on my right shoulder, 1 on my right hip.

I am expected to have my left hip done in the next year or so.

Prior to 2010, I had my gall bladder removed, my first surgery on my right

Shoulder and both ankle operated on… now about this pitting edema I have

in my right foot. I started cumaden right after surgery, bridged for one day.

when I got home, I started using xeralto and by day 4 at home, my right foot looked

was 4 times bigger.

Thanks for the taking the time to read this

20

Thank God to the internet all right be lost. I recently had my left hip replaced 2 weeks ago November 29th. I'm 6-2 so I find it hard to find anything to sit on. Thank you for the suggestions about the feet and the knees I'm getting quite a bit of swelling at times in my knee and then down through my leg over the last day or two quite a bit of pain in my hamstring I think it's due from sitting or at least trying to set hopefully that's what it is some people talked about compression socks I'm going to look into that. I can't do the foot slides. Also back to my hamstring different times when I'm standing I can pull up on my left foot and I don't know if that might be causing the extra discomfort in my left hamstring. Also I don't get to get out to walk much I live on the third floor of an apartment building and with the snowfall we got today . My building is a small unit so there's no hallway for walking. Another thing that might be sent me back is the night before my surgery I went up and down my apartment steps 15 times bringing things in and try to set everything up her after the surgery so I'm probably paying for that right now. Best of luck with everybody for their healing and I look forward to reading more responses. TS 4:30 in the morning one thing I cannot do is sleep at night for more than an hour or two.