I have some swelling round my left ankle, more in fact than in my right operated leg. I'm not too worried but just wondered if anyone else had experienced this?
Cels x
Morning, Cels, I had swelling all over the place with my first hip. No idea why you get it in the opposite leg. I used some ice packs and kept it elevated. If no change I would ring the ward or your GP.
I had swelling in both feet and ankles -- on and off -- during the first two weeks. It was worse in the op leg but still obvious in the other. I'd just relax with my feet up and the dreaded TEDs on until the swelling went down.
I can imagine them holding both legs pretty firmly in order to dislocate the one they want to work on - so perhaps it's just that?
Graham - 🚀💃
Maybe you're right.
If it's still like it on 17th when I get my staples out I'll mention it to the nurse and meanwhile I'll spend some time resting with my feet above my heart.
Cels x
Good morning Cels! I saw your post about the swelling around left ankle. I hope it gets better today. How are you doing oherwise? Sending lots of good "hippie" energy to you as you get better each day!
Doing good thanks Cindy. Managed to wash my hair this morning although it may have been too much too soon. Am exhausted now and ready for a nap. The smallest things really take it out of you.
thanks for the energy, I need all I can get
Thats what I was thinking , all part of the pulling and poking
Good morning Cels. The site is almost as jumpy as I feel some days. I had a bad stretch of swelling in both knees although the operated one was always worst. I finally took a day of rest from exercises (except for the cifoot waggle and circles). My feet like feet like two loaves of bread rising. I was a truly sleepy sloth that dayok - simply keeping my legs raised (a king size pilllow lengthwise under both legs from hip to ankle and another smaller one raising it slightly at the feet). Ice packs off and on throughout the day and I went back to a 4-hour pain med schedule. The swelling eased quite a bit and I started introducing back exercises, etc. with special care to not sit or stand for too long. Eventually I could see my foot bones and lost the sack of fluid behind my knees - big sigh of relief. FYI, I had called my GP'S office - they were willing to look at it but felt it would reduce over time. I love how everyone is very casual when inside I was (to use the current vernacular) freaking out. All part of the journey , but I do think that a flew more cautionary notes would help me deal with all of it more calmly. Again - I really appreciate this forum. Hope you are doing better soon and can healing on a more predictable course. Best wishes.
Hey Linda, and thanks for the reassurance.
Everything that happens to you, if perhaps unexpected, makes you question if it's normal.
Tomorrow I think I'd like a sloth day. Maybe along with a rewatch of War and Peace, I really enjoyed that.
I have no idea what I would have done without this forum, genuinely. It saved my sanity pre-op and will continue to do so now I am officially a hippy, in fact, a week 2 hippy
Whooee! Yay hippies! Hang in there.
I had slight swelling in my other foot but my main swelling is in the op leg, been told today by physio it can last up to 6 months.
Physio letter I got before I came out of hospital said to lie down for an hour in the afternoon.
Hope it does not last long.
I never knew it could last thatlong - note taken, must update the website.
Graham - 🚀💃
Neither did I, got a bit of a shock, thought maybe few weeks, let's hope all of us who have swelling that it goes pretty quick.
I think it's quite minor Lynn but the TED stockings just seem to make it look worse. It didn't look so bad when the stockings came off for 1/2 hour a while ago. My op leg is barely swollen but it's early days yet.
Just a quick addition. I managed a fabulous 8 hours sleep last night (with toilet breaks and a painkiller break of course) with my feet raised on a memory foam pillow which is quite thick. Actually, it was more my ankles that were supported with my heels, which are quite sore, dangling over the edge. This has hugely helped the swelling. Can't believe I slept for so long but I'm not napping in the day. I would like to but I just can't seem to nod off. I feel so rested this morning
That's brilliant, Cels, a good nights rest makes all the difference. I have never slept longer than about 7 hours and am pleased to say that I am back to this now even with a nap in the day (sometimes!)
getting a good sleeping position is essential and I am afraid mine is on my side which I achieved at about 2 weeks. I now flop into bed on my back, shove a pillow betweeen knees and ankles and roll, in one, to my side and there I stay, all night
I'm not brave enough to try that yet Kate, but although I was dreading sleeping on my back it's not as bad as I feared, probably because when I get to bed I am so exhausted. I doubt I'll be giving it the full 6 weeks before I'm tempted to turn on my side though with the essential pillow between my knees. Are you on your op side or good side Kate?
For my first recovery, I could get on my operated side easily, but not mu non-operated side, for my second recovery it was the other way around.
Why so different - no idea, but each recovery is different. Whatever side you choose, it must be pain free.
Graham - 🚀💃
Thanks Graham,
Whilst I'm comfortable and sleeping well on my back that's where I'll stay. You never know, I might get to be a back sleeper from now. If it becomes impossible well, we'll see but I don't plan to push anything.
I'm a bit of a worrier and if I get any pain when I move my first thought "Oh **** [insert expletive of choice], what have I done?"