Just had my left hip replaced on tuesady 4/18/17. Came home on 4/20/17. Just noticed my leg is so swollen. From ankle to thigh. Elevation and ice should do the trick. So should I elevate every time I am sitting down? And ice should be 30 minutes on 30 minutes off. That I learned in the hospital!
Karen, yes, elevate whenever you are sitting down. Even if you don't quite elevate, having your leg sticking out in front of you, rather than down, will help! Also, you can ice as much as possible, too, and it won't do any harm, and may do more good to alleviate pain.
And rest as much as possible for the first two weeks. You are in healing mode for now. Wishing you all the best in your recovery!
Tell your home Nuse or call your Doctor.
Hi Karen. I also had swelling that concerned me a few days after surgery. Mine was stopped at the top of my calf by those lovely compression socks. From what I know at your stage it's normal but never be concerned to reach out to your doc just in case. All the best to you.
I'm not sure what you're doing for blood clots. I used a contraption that increase the blood flow to my leg. Some people wear socks. I'm sure you'll hear from somebody that has had the same experience as you . However I would call your doctors office if you have not already
hi karen,
warm welcome to the hippies forum -
Swelling and warmth around the scar are common after a hip replacement.
Mine started at groin and went down to ankle and was uncomfortable for weeks. However, this represents the normal process of healing and can last for several weeks to sometimes even months .
Elevating your leg and icing might help.
Remember that you just had major invasive surgery where tissues were cut, handled and pulled around and can make fluid build up in the hours afterwards. This can stay or ebb and flow for several days and sometimes even a couple of weeks.
Also increased blood and lymph flow; healing happens because there is increased circulation bringing plentiful blood cells, plasma and lymph into the area to supply nutrition and oxygen - all needed for the creation of scar and normal tissue
When I had my 2nd THR surgery I asked the surgeon to handle me with care - he apparently did because I had no swelling (maybe a little, but not like elephant size) - are you on blood thinning medication?
if the swelling gets very tight or red or you develop a fever, call your doctor asap -
be very gentle with your self and come back anytime you want to okay?
you are not alone !!!
big warm hug
renee..
Hi Karen
It's early days and swelling can happen BUT I would advise you to get checked out just incase. My leg was swollen from knee upwards no pain just tightness no heat and I ended up with a DVT which led to a PE. I was on blood thinners and wore the socks. I woke up with chest pains and thought this isn't right....im ok now on blood thinner tablets don't know how long for. Don't want to scare you but it's always best to check
I was also told by the nurses to only ice for around ten mins each time as prolonged icing can stop blood flow.
Keep exercising and moving about and take care
Julie
Hi Karen. Quite normal and sounds like you doing your bit. Def elevate as much as poss. I had no swelling before leaving hospital but fortunately consultant had commented 'no swelling' which made me realise swelling was normal. It was so uncomfortable and trying to do the exercises tough but it was short lived. Won't be much longer. Well done otherwise. Best wishes.
Hi Karen, swelling is normal. I had it for a couple of weeks I think. Mine used to get progressively worse, quite tight and swollen by the evening, and quite a lot better in the morning. Like the others have said, put your leg up on something when you sit down, and put something cold on the swollen part. Good luck with your recovery.
Hi Karen
It's quite normal,my whole leg was swollen and tight for around 5 weeks, the foot was the worst.
Keep elevating and icing.you should find in a few weeks that after a nights sleep in the morning the leg is less swollen and by the end of the day starts to swell again. It will eventually go,Ted stockings help with the swelling.if your worried though you could speak to the doctor, keep an eye out for calf pain or excessive hotness to the leg.
It's good reassurance that it sounds normal and from what other people have posted.
Keep recovering well, take care
Nicky