Hello I am new to this group as of this post. I had a right total hip replacement on May 20th I am just curious if anyone else has swelling like me. I seem to have 2 spots that feel like the size of baseballs and no matter how much i ice them they just don't go down
Welcome! You are still very early in recovery, and that feeling is very common. There was much work done deep inside of your hip involving incisions, stretching of soft tissues, and cutting of bone, so the inevitable swelling is part and parcel of healing.
Thank you! Sometimes i forget how early on i am and also exactly what was done! Thanks for the reminder!!!
You are in the toughest stage - body is in full reaction to the 'indignities' visited on your hip and leg.
It has been said many ways but the truth of it is that this is pretty much the grin and bear it stage. Distract yourself as much as possible (music helped me, just plugged in my ipod) , medicate so the pain doesn't get unmanageable, ice and elevate for the swelling. And do the exercises prescribed as they help minimize the swelling and pain from cramping.
The baseball's are a pretty common description for some of the pain asociatec with early recovery. Sitting was agony for me early on, could not adjust to the wretched wedge cushion and ended up getting vertical or horizontal most of the time.
Good luck and call up your friends - it is time for them to come and distract you!
Hugs,
P.S. Forum members come from many countries - come on line to chat when you need another focus. As we cross several continents and sleep is a big issue for many .. there is usually someone available.
Thank you#!! It feels so good hearing this is normal. You are totally right i need a distraction! Just made homemade ice packs !
Smiling at my reaction here - I visualized some interesting ice pops (don't ask). Perhaps reading about a rhubarb Collins or strawberry daiquiri this morning ...😁
Hi and poor you - it is all really difficult in the first few weeks. Like others I was much better at standing or lying down than sitting , and that feeling of a ball that shouldnt bethere does eventually go away. It is very early days and things will improve - ive had x three hip surgeries and its been the sme each time xx
Thank you so much for your reply to my question it makes me feel better knowing that that's something that's pretty normal it just feels really super weird and my hip looks like I have an extra 6 or 7 inches on it
Hi I am 10 days post op trhr and like you suffering with the swelling only its my knee which is causing the most pain. From day 1 my knee has been swoolen and so painfull. Bruising is black behind the knee and the first night I was on constant morphine not for the hip but the knee. It has reduced slightly with my home made ice pack (chicken nuggets lol) but feel it is hindering my recovery as having no problems really from the hip. Hope your feeling a bit better soon xx
Hello chick, I have the same problem, with the hip sticking out quite a bit, im 2 weeks post op,and it doesnt seem to be going down at all, very disturbing. I thought I was the only one with this problem. Thanks to your post I dont feel so freaky. wishing you luck. Julia. xx
Oh gosh thats awful. I too had severe knee paim. Hsve u tried ice pack or chicken nuggets {lol) behind the knee??
Really??? Wow isnt it awful? Has anyone told you what yours is?
Hi!
I'm 4 weeks post op and its only now it feels like that swelling your describing has started to go. I had put it down to the stitches being in place and the muscles and tendons healing. Unfortunately my knee has blown up again. Fun and games
David.
Hi David - sorry to hear your knee is playing up but glad that horrible ball in the hip feeling has now gone - I had that for ages - seemed like it would never go but I can say at 12 weeks it has now finally disappeared . I hope your knee behaves itself soon , ice and rest is the way to go for sure - xxx
Wow its comforting knowing its happened to ithers. I have tge size of a dinner plate hard as a rick. Gonna try heating pad ice is not working
TBH heat worked better for me , never tried ice but know lots of others swear by it xx
Thank you!!!! All i gear is ice ice ice. But i did research and heat works better for fluid build up in the tissues!
Hi there. Are you still having the issue with your hip sticking out? Ugh. Mine just doesnt seem to be going down. Trying heating pad now instead of ice last 2 nights.
Hello Chick, yes, my hip is still sticking out. I have searched for other people with this problem, but it seems like it's just you and me kiddo. I don't like to get too personal, but are you a slim build, coz I am and that might be the answer, clutching at straws I know. I've also woke up in a lot of pain this morning, back on the parecetomol and ibubrofen combination. I have a feeling that our problem might seem trivial to some people, not the ones who matter of course, but it is quite harrowing to think i'm going to be like this forever. I'm sorry you are going through this, but at least we have each other to turn to. I almost feel apologetic for worrying about the aesthetics, considering what some people are going through, but, it is effecting my recovery. Hope you have more luck with the heat packs. Let me know how you get along. So glad you contacted me, was feeling quite alone with this problem. Always here if you need to talk about, (our little problem). Warmest wishes. Julia. xxx
you both are still so early in recovery ... seriously - you are probably right about being slim build so it shows more - my hips (2 THR surgeries) were swollen for a long time and also so tender to the touch - I used to have slim hips , alas, no longer as it is covered now with extra padding -
definitely ask your surgeon at follow up appointment ...
i am so sorry that you have so much pain, julia ... and please don't ever think that anything is trivial to talk about, okay