Hi I am new to this forum, I am 9days in from having my l/h replacement, not been doing to bad but today my left ankle is very swollen does anyone know if that's normal.i have rheumatoid arthritis as well. because of the pain and swelling I find it hard to do the standing up exercises, janet
Hi Janet.
That's it totally normal, I am 3 weeks and 4 days post op with my right I need to get my left done too. I had really bad swelling I ended back in hospital. Using hear packs and putting my leg up, walking,( even know it's sore) and doing exercise ( even though it's sore) that really helped me. Put your leg up at night that also helped me.
It's took about 2 weeks for a the swelling to go down for me but my doctor said it can last about 6-8 weeks.
I wish you all the best in your recovery!!
Megan xx
Praying for you Janet sending healing hugs
Had my replacement in may and my ankle is still swollen , it goes down during the night but as soon as I'm up and about it swells again, I have seen my gp and he says it might never get better due to the damage done to the lymphatics during the op , good luck x
Hi Jane, I'm 13 days after my hip op. About a week after my ankle more than doubled. I was told to expect this as they said when you start pottering about, Gravity has its own way of working. It's reduced rather a lot now but is still larger than my other one. Hope everything else is going ok with you. I feel very lucky as I've had no pain at all. Various little twinges, but nothing to worry about. All part of the healing process I suppose.
Hi Janet,
It sure sounds as if you are well on your way on the recovery roller coaster journey. Good work.
I got a lot of swelling as welL - massively impressive and sometimes even scary. I think it gets worse once we start getting braver and sit or stand for longer periods - esp if not propping up our foot (gravity causes the swelling to pool in our ankles). It is tricky fined the right balance as we need to walk around and do our exercises to keep the circulation strong, and we need to get out of bed to keep our sanity.
As Megan said, resting and elevating the leg (I put a pillow vertically under my legs with a smaller cushion under the pillow at my feet) and I prefer ice to heat, but seriously .. whatever works ... The main thing is to find the balance in all this activity and rest to help you hip and leg heal as quickly as possible and both are needed.
Good luck and big hugs,
L
Thanks everyone for all your good help, as you ssy finding the right balance is the way .
My operated leg swelled very bad, the hospital said to place a rolled up bath towel under the mattress at the foot end to lift the whole mattress up on my side, this worked for me as did the bed rest each afternoon.
I am PO 11 days never had the swelling, tother than first and second day home looked like a ittle donut around my ankle, I left compression socksa on 3 days maybe. I am either in a lift recliner or in bed with a king sized pillow under operated leg with the end where mt foot is folded under with a small pillow under that. So I keep it elevated. Good luck, sending healing prayers and a hug!!
Hi Janet, I am 4 months post opp LTHR. I got a swollen left ankle as soon as I came home and it hasn't gone away., I've asked the doctors but not got an answer. Please let me know if you get any answers, I would be interested to know the outcome.
Bye for now Sally x
Poko a poko as they say here in Ecuador. Swelling is normal to a point. For me ice on the area of the hip replacement worked a bit...but in time...and a lot of bathroom visits...I mean a lot! Things will calm down. In the mean time elevate and take a bunch of siestas. Good luck with your new hip and recovery.
All the best,
Al
Good luck with your new hip. I have ra also
Hi Sally I'm 7 months post op and still having problems with my ankle and foot. Does your foot hurt as well? I have eventually got my doctor to send me to see an orthopaedic surgeon who is sending me for a nerve conduction test. At my 7 week check the doctor said it was plantar fasciitis, I've already had that and knew it was different. My doctor only said it could last 9-12 months. I have sort advice from other specialists all with conflicting ideas. Hope you don't have the same problems.
Brenda C
Hi Janet I'm 7 months post op and still have a swollen but it has gone down a lot. I have OA as well, good luck with your recovery and hope your ankle goes down. My doctor told me it could take 9-12 months.
Best Wishes Brenda C
Hi Janet, I'm now just over 4 weeks post op after a RTHR. Swelling was my enemy and seriously made me feel awful but mine went down after a week or so again. So, coming on leaps and bounds now. I had my first physio appt today. They're not seeing me again as have said they can do no more or advise no more than I'm doing. They have taken my crutches (was only using one) & replaced with a stick.
It will go down but you're probably thinking at the mo that it won't! If you get alot of pain check it out. Apart from that, take time to heal yourself hun. X
Hi brenda,
Well I can't say that my foot or ankle hurts, only if I walk to far on it. My doctor has only said that it is swollen because of the d.v.t I had over several years ago,.I think after reading your post I will ask the surgeon at my next check up. Thanks
Sally x