I've had total hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

it is 3 weeks in from my hip replacement operation, I live alone with friends helping out when they can, but quite nervous still as I had a cancellation so no time to find out much

i have a huge problem with putting on the compression stockings and quite worried that my ankles have swollen up so much, I would be grateful if someone could tell me if this is normal. 

2

Hi Jackie

I am 2 weeks and 5 days post op and have not had to wear Ted's in or out of hospital. As soon as I was walking after my op I  did not even have to wear inflatable stockings

I am on Clexane stomach injections

I would check with your GP to see if the Teds  are necessary 

If they are maybe a district nurse could come to visit you and help

Hope you are progressing well otherwise

Kind wishes Linda

3

hi Linda, thank you so much for the information, I really do appreciate it. And I am really pleased you are getting on so well, but a bit nonplussed as I was told I had to wear them for six weeks. I do go back to the hospital for an assessment in a weeks time, so will probably find out more then.

i take my last stomach injection tomorrow thank heavens, although I never thought that I could do that to myself, but it hasn't been too bad.

thanks again, and very best wishes, Jackie.

keep me up to date on your progress.

4

Hi jackie

i had to wear the socks for 6 weeks and also do the Fragmin injections daily for a couple of weeks as well.

 

5

Hi Jackie yes I had swollen ankles I just made sure I ellevated them and did lot of exercises where I rotated both ankles and stretched my feet pointing downwards. The stockings are a pain I didn't try putting them on myself but had a friend who put them on for me after I had a shower she couldn't do it everyday so I had to put up with them staying on  for a couple of days at a time. I hope things improve for you soon

6

Forgot to say, I had  home help organised through GP,  who came twice a day for a couple of months and they would help wash from knee to foot and put my DVT socks on and off... Definitely good to have few pairs!

7

Good morning Jackie .... another confusing issue ... the dreaded stockings --- I never had them (I live in Holland) and so many on this forum didn't either ... jjust the Fragmin injections for 6 weeks and this too is diferent in many cases ... shorter time or pills or none at all --- 

I hope you get it all sorted out soon - great advice from our fellow hippies here - just knowing that you are not alone, already helps ...

take care and be gentle with your self - 

big hug

8

Jackie, I never had to wear the stockings. I asked my consultant and he said ok and gave me tablets to take for a month instead. Could you ring your Dr. Or preferably your consultant and explain the difficulty, they might say you can leave them off now as you are on the injections. The swelling will go dawn in time but be prepared for many trips to the bathroom. Keep your feet up if you can and don't try to do to much. I know the temptation when you live on your own.

9

Hi Jackie,

I am astonished to hear you are able to put the white stockings on at all, I had family and friends do it for me. They struggled and heaved and it turned out to be a bit of a comedy farce.  You are not able to bend down for at least 6 weeks any, so how did you do it?.

I had round the clock cover for 4 weeks and only then was I able to feel safe on my own.  There were other people around, but out at work.  Part of my insecurity, was that everywhere i went involved stairs, even the loo.

That has all passed now and at 10 weeks, I can hardly remember a thing.  The consultant said that, it explains why some folks are so blase about it all.  Mind you, that too depends on the condition of the rest of your body, especially your other hip and knees.

I would say you are anxious for a good reason and you need to fish out support!

10

Hi Jackie,

I never had to wear those stockings and I am just taking a water soluble aspirine every day...For swollen ankles you have to lye down with cuschions under youf feet and rotate your feet often. A disctric nurse should come to you every day to help you with the stockings, if you must wear them at all.

Best wishes

Ella 

11

Morning Jackie........ I was very fortunate that my surgeon did not believe in the surgical stockings, when I lay down I elevate my operated side, so that it`s higher that my heart, I use ice packs during the day, and the hospital gave me Predaxa when they discharged me, which I have to take for 26 days, these thin the blood like the injections do. Check with your doctor, and see if he can suggest an alternative, as I can imagine the stockings are very uncomfortable. We have enough to put up with as it is, never mind those horrible things.

I hope you get sorted out..... take the best of care..    X    sue

12

Hi,Jackie,

I am 4 wks post op today and had the same problem with the stocking and the swelling.

I had really bad swelling in my ankles feet and knee on op side.I called doctor last week as I couldn't sleep as they were cutting in.I was told that I could stop wearing them as I am injecting myself every night with fragmin a blood thinner,I can honestly say since being stocking free the swelling is much better.

Hope this helps.x

13

Dear Tracy, thank you so much for your help, it was really useful. Also to know you are not alone with these problems is a huge help. I hope you continue to pain free health. Jackie

14

Thank you Juliet, 

15

Thank you Margaret, I have my last injection tonight, which makes it just short of 4 weeks. I have only another week to go before I see surgeon, but no home help at all, only district nurse who came to take out staples.never mind at least I am free of pain !

16

Hi Olive, I do try and do too much, hate to ask people the putting on of the stockings I have only done the once, but because I had such a struggle I was afraid I may do damage to the hip. Stairs don't seem to be a problem to me as right from the start I have only ever used one elbow crutch and my knees and other hip are fine. Thank you for your advice much appreciated. Jackie

17

Hi Ella,

i tried to get some help but they said it might be 3 or 4 weeks to be assessed ! Helloooo, I'm hoping to be fine by then.

18

Hi Sue,

thank you so much for your input, I have been given very little input from hospital so I have had to glean it all from the Internet. .

i know it can't be for much longer so I'll wait a week till I see my surgeon and stick my smelly feet under his nose.

only joking, you take care keep pain free Jackie x

19

Dear Renee,

thank you so much for your good wishes, it really does help to know there are people in the same position. The hospital was adamant that I wear the stockings for 6 weeks and injections for 4 but they are so hot to wear it is easily the worse thing post op.

take care, Jackie

20

Hi Juliet,

perhaps I should have insisted to my doctor, but I will try again.

many thanks for replying to my plight it really does help

Jackie x