Ill be at 2 weeks post op on r/s thr posterior tomorrow. I know I over did it week one and they think I had a blood vessel break, and my leg swelled to the point of getting skin rashes. I was using walker fine until this happened and now my knee will not move from swelling. They had me spend Friday Saturday Sunday Monday on my back in bed with leg in the air on ice. That barley helped, yesterday they showed us how to wrap entire leg with 6 big ace bandages to try and squeeze the blood out of muscles. I feel so far away from where I was at end of week one. Has anyone ever dealt with hematoma in thy and leg swelling?? how long did it take to relax? Any advice would be great!
Thank you fellow Hipsters!!
Hi Chuck
Not ever had a hematoma so have no advice for that sorry.
Yes sounds like you overdid it. At least now you know to take it easier. While we're going through this it seems forever but in the grand scheme of things it's a short time in exchange for a pain free future. We'll get through this.
Hi Chuck,
Right ... you are the one who drove a truck and went to jobs at less than one week post-op from this major surgery ...and now, unfortunately your are paying the price for being impatient and not allowing your self to rest and heal properly -
your body is amazing, you know ... if you don't listen, he will make you rest so you don't have a choice ..
so please, please, - even though it sucks, and makes you feel antsy, frustrated, and what not , take your time - you already have been warned by your knee !!!!
big warm hug big guy,
it will be all right you know ... you are still you ...
renee
Also Chuck it says only to do unavoidable vehicle journeys in the first three weeks because of the way we get jolted around and the design of most seats have raised sides which push against our hip. Work can wait. Health comes first. Be kind to yourself x
Sandra , renee,
Thank You for the advice. I never drove anything just went for a ride to drop off parts. My swelling started before all of this, My surgeon told me that for some reason about 1 in 50 patients have this happen and it slows them down considerably, I wish I had more concrete instructions from them for sure. I was told by hospital PT people to move and walk as much as possible. I really wish I found this site pre surgery for sure!!!! The surgeon told me that, yes they usually have to encourage people to move, not thinking a guy like me might take them to serious and move to much. Do you have any advice on sleeping positions?? I tried my side with all the pillows between legs with surgery side up as they told me I could try but it was painful. Are we allowed to sleep on stomachs??? Its really getting hard to sleep when I lay on my back all day to get swelling down, and then try to go to sleep on my back. Take care Thank you!!
I'm sure I've read you can't sleep on stomach. If you can't lie on side then either try a towel rolled up under bottom of your back or feet raised on a pillow ( may take strain off your back) or form pillows behind you into an armchair effect and sleep sitting up like you would in a chair. Otherwise try magnesium citrate to help you sleep. As soon as I started taking it I slept right through. Hope you start to get some relief soon.
oops ... even so !!!
getting in and out of the car, carrying parts (were they heavy ?, dropping them off ... well,you know now. right?
How are you right now ?
by moving as much as possible in the first weeks post op usually means walk around, don't sit too long etc..
I think I read letters send by forum members that did sleep on their stomach ... ask your doctor or PT, just to make sure ..are you a stomach sleeper?
Are you taking pain medication?
When lying on your un-operated side, try to have operated leg well supported by pillows and perhaps back as well so leg won't flop ...
for now though, because of swelling, better to lie on back with leg elevated ...
come here anytime - days can be long
angel blessings
Thank You Renee, I didn't carry anything, definitely cant do that. Just road in the car. My swelling is down a bunch thank god! The rashes and splitting skin pain have gone away. my knee still only bends just a little bit. I have to meet surgeon again today to re evaluate. I stopped taking pain meds a week ago. To get my stomach back under control. My only pain is when you touch my leg, or try to bend knee. The pressure wrap has given me some groin pain, but I figure that's just everything being squeezed. Hope your progressing well! have a good day.
Wow chuck, sounds serious! When I had knee surgery about 11/2 yrs ago I had some vascular problems as well.... rest keep elavated lots of ice and sometimes they recommend compression hose or wraps. Hope you get relief soon. I feel bad about complaining about my hip now, although it sounds like I am not alone with these problems!! Just want to get back to being me!!🤗
Carolyn, Thank You for the input! Just to give everyone an update. I met surgeon today, and they approved me to restart PT next week, but it has to start with my knee and getting more movement. Right now it has blood settled in it, and they cant drain it, They said the body will re absorb it as I work it. I also have to keep the compression wrap on as much as possible, and when not on keep leg elevated above heart with ice. I am a little p****d at this point. I left the hospital doing great in PT and my second day home my regular PT guy said wow you are swollen, he even measured my leg all over to cover his ass in case they blame him. The next day I did a bunch of walking and a car ride for an hour. The day after all my troubles began. The swelling left rashes and blisters on my entire leg. Funny thing is, my neighbor is a chief anasteziolagist (sp??) he told me that ever so often a patient bleeds internally, and the blame always goes to patient first, then anaste???? (guy that knocks us out) and then to the PT person. It never goes to surgeon, that might have not sealed a vein just right. So I am at 2 weeks even yesterday. at 5 days I barley needed walker. Now I cant see how I'll walk without it.
Thank you all for support! I need it!
It feels like you are starting over with the entire process... ugh! Will be checking on your progress. Going to see Chriorpractor to be sure it's not my back or hip out which might be causing the extra pain and preventing me from getting any stronger. I am willing to try what ever they suggest at this point!
Carolyn, Be careful with chiropractors. I have had bad experiences. My brother married one so I promised I would give them a try for my elbow and back arthritis problems, For the elbow, the guy did more damage than good, and I was in surgery a month later. Good luck
also everyone my dr told me its ok to sleep on stomach, with pillow between legs. Going to try it tonight.
I will thanks much! As for sleeping on your stomach...I did it the hard part I trying to figure out how to get back on your back without hurting !! Not fun guys! I ended up using body pillows one to prop against and the other for support ....there are really no good answers you just have to keep trying new positions to get those zzzzzs!! I was not a back sleeper either but it has proved to be the most comfortable for now!