swelling/exercise frustrated

Bones, joints and muscles
1

well,had my ted stockings removed on saturday,what a wonderful feeling.My legs and feet have peeling and my heels are very dry.I changed my stockings every two days for 6 weeks and since ive removed them my feet keep swelling.

I went out for my first walk outside on sunday (i have been walking around at home and going up and down the stairs and doing bed exercises) and rest.

Had a lot of swelling to my knee and foot over the last 6 weeks but seem to have less on my knee now.

Just cant seem to sort the swelling to my foot.I elevate after my walks but as soon as i start moving or even sit down stairs they swell it is now both feet.

Help!!! feel that i cant find a happy combination of exercise.

I am due to see my consultant on 11th April and will be just over 7 weeks

.I have been given a new docs note till 29th april so will then have had 10 weeks off work.

Am going to discuss with consultant re swelling/exercise and whether he thinks the recommended 12 weeks is needed.Any advise?

 

2

How annoying Michael!

No advice I can give really, I've been quite lucky re swelling.

Obviously the higher you can raise your legs above the level of your heart the better but I'm sure you're already doing that.  Maybe try ice? I see what you're saying though - the swelling goes down and comes back as soon as you exercise. 

Only 6 more days to see your consultant.  He'll sort you out xxx

3

Hello Michael , it sounds like your doing ok . I've got three more days then I'm having my done , today I'm feeling like I'm looking forward to it a bit because I'm knackered . Not sleeping well , codeine related and also worry and pain in my hip . So hopefully this time next week I'll be in a better position than I am now .

4

i was the same once they gave me my date i was counting the days.on the day of the op i was pacing the floor at the hospital the nurses said how eager i looked.

I just wanted the pain to go i had waited 14 months for this since they told me i originally had sciatica.

My back and hip and groin pain i had prior to op have gone.Just healing pain and swelling but know this will go.

This forum has been so useful and when you need advise there are people on here who are at the same stage or have been through it so nice to have support.Good luck 

5

Hi Michael

I do sympathise with you . I am now 14 weeks post op and still have bad swelling in both feet, legs are a bit better .

When i saw consultant he said it was normal .

I have since been to my GP twice because they are so painful and all he says is its early days .

Why i wonder should both feet be swollen and not just the operated leg .

I have now booked another appointment with my GP , see how i go this time , if no joy i think a call to my consultant will be in order. Makes life very miserable,cant stand sheets on them and can only wear my Ugg boots .

 

6

I never had the stockings, but had really bad swelling, today has been the best day for me, regarding swelling, I thought it had gone for good, actually had skinny ankles lol but swelled up again a bit this afternoon.  I too have had extremely dry, flaky skin and heels, I got hubby to shave my legs and that has sorted the flakiness for now lol

My physio letter said to lie flat on the bed for an hour on an afternoon to help with swelling but I did not do anything else to help it. Also told it can take up to 6 month for the swelling to go.

It's not too far off before you see your consultant, I would write down any questions you have, because chances are you will forget the one thing you really need to know.

When I asked for my next run of sick note, I was told if I needed extra time, just to ask for it, so may be the same for you, some people are ready early to go back to work and some later.

Hope you can get sorted.

Lynn xx

7

hi lynn,how many weeks post op are you?

I suppose im frustrated as just want to move forward and seem to be two step forward n three back the swelling is a hindrance.Thought once i hit 6 weeks would progress more just impatient really.

Like you suggested i do lie on the bed after my walks and elevate my feet but as soon as i standup again and move the swelling comes on so quickly.Thanks 

8

Yes it is strange how swelling can be in both feet not just the operated side!I am just glad of this forum as it helps to discuss and know were not alone in this.

9

Hi my gp give me this  oinment diprobase  i found it absutley briliant, as i have other scars and the stiches get itchey this was great,Hope this Helps 

10

Im the same, 2 swollen feet, very painful 14 weeks post opp.

Feel like I want tostick a pin in the to pop them. Lol.

have to give it a few months, I have been told.

Xx

11

I'm 7 weeks today, I was in the theatre at this time lol

Impatience, I'm a bit like you, want it done yesterday lol, but it is surprising how quick things change. A couple of days ago I was walking around the house, like a baby learning to walk, (without the stick), today I'm a lot better and getting there.

12

i was operated the same day as you.so we can share our ups n downs.

i have tried having a rest day today and been going upstairs to rest every couple of hours.

13

It's gone quick hasn't it. Maybe some days we need the extra rest, even if we don't admit it to ourselves.

I have been trying to walk more, still need a stick outside, do you still use yours?  I haven't been out much at all today because of the weather, so having a rest day myself.

I can walk downstairs properly now, but must admit, frightened me because they are steep. I can't walk upstairs with bad leg first yet, but I can get up a kerb.  How are you with stairs?

Lynn xx

14

i still use my one stick to go up and down stairs and around the house.

when in kitchen i use work surfaces to guide me but my stick is near just in case.

Outside i use my one stick,kerbs seem very high but do it.

I knocked my stick over the other day in the bathroom and just used the bannister and walls to guide me back to get my other stick as didnt want to wake my wife.as you say some days are better than others.

The days seem long when my wifes at work.

Have you walked far?

I ventured outside on sunday for a walk and it felt nice to get some fresh air was out for about 1 and a half hours. then monday 1 hour 20 mins. been paying for it since. am still moving around in the house and doing exercises. Im trying to do more but my body isnt agreeing.

Michaelrolleyes

15

I chanced coming downstairs today without hubby and I managed it ok but one hand tight on the rail and the other pushed against the wall, tried going up with bad leg and managed some, but knee didn't like it on the last one, so I think that can wait a little longer. Sometimes I still use my stick in the house, depends. But I suppose I should use it a bit more in the house because still have some waddle.

I use the worktops in the kitchen. but if I have my stick with me, I put it on the worktop, incase I knock it over, I don't put the end on though, might of picked things up lol

If she is out all day it will be long days, I have my son and hubby home, neither work many hours, but son is always in bedroom and hubby goes up the allotment, actually prefer it sometimes, just need some me time, that's why I used to go out with the dog a lot lol

A few days where I have done a total of 6 mile with two walks, though I have done a slightly longer walk this morning, 3.8 mile and felt I could of gone on a little more but thought better not, no aches and pains, if it keeps fine I will probably have a shorter one tonight. I am trying to build up my walking, partly because I like walking but a lot to do with work.

You do get bad and good days, always panic incase I drop my stick when I'm out, if there is no one about. Knocked my grabber over, so couldn't get ready, phoned hubby downstairs to come and get it for me lol

That's good going and you do feel better for some fresh air and seeing other people too, feel a bit more normal. But it can be easy to over do it,

I have before, niggly pains and the worst one, when I tried to sit down and I couldn't, bit like it locking up, like with the arthritis. But with neither of them did I have any warning signs.

You will have to rest up a while, maybe keep off the exercise while you have pain.

Take care

Lynn xx