Swelling

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am recovering from 2nd THR (Jan 20) and had first done Nov 30.  The first was a breeze compared to this. I am having lots of swelling in the tush around the incision, and that golf ball feeling that many of you spoke of but which I didn't have the first time. I am living with an ice pack but wondering if there are other ways to speed reduction in swelling. I suspect moving about more would help but I got a smidge anemic so my energy stores are minimal. Any thoughts? THANKS! Gail

2

Can only think of a "donut" cushion so that you are not sitting directly on it.  Think iron tablets are good for anaemia, but check with your doctor, first, about taking them.  Spinach is a good source of iron, but you have to like eating it in masive amounts....!  Could try sitting on a couple of cushions, separated so that the golf ball sits in the middle!

3

The only thing I can think to add is that it is often suggested to elevate the swollen part, but that might not be possible for you. The icing will help. I've read that you should be sure to drink plenty of fluids, although I can't think how that would help!

Good luck to you. I've only had one THR, with a lateral incision, and my entire leg was swollen big-time for about two weeks. After that, no problem.

4

I found feather pillows really eased the golf ball feeling when sitting. It does ease, but I still have it time to time at 8 weeks. It is very common so please don't worry.

Swelling around the incision is normal - I have it too. It doesn't go down with activity, if anything it swells more in my experience.

If you have anaemia and low blood pressure you really need to rest, get stronger. I had horrible nausea and dizziness for weeks and understand how much it sets you back. Sleeping, resting, an iron supplement if you can take them and allowing your body to return to strength is the best thing. You don't need to do anything. Just give yourself time and space to balance. There is no rush at all. There were a few members on here that fell on the stairs when feeling like that, so please go take your time. You will soon be completely fit and well x

5

Hi Gail,

Sorry for your struggle.  I can relate to the anemic condition and how it sucks the energy out of you.  Also I can relate to one THR being completely different from the other THR.  Hang in there.  If there was a way to speed up reduction in swelling, I would have wanted to try it!  Hang in there, it will get better.

Hugs

Dawn, USA

6

Hi Gail, 

I hope you are asleep right now ...

You had 2 major surgeries within 8-9 weeks !!! that is something BIG and your body needs all the energy to do the repairs ... 

Did you have anterior or posterior procedure ?  I think it is pretty normal to have swelling around scar area and on bum -- I had the same after 2nd THR - I also thought that location of that scar was more on the bum and thusly, more sore - The first scar is more to the outer hip - 

DO you have a fever ?  

I agree with Rose ... rest up first - do the ankle rotations and foot pumps - 

Are you on blood thinners ?

I think that you are doing real good - keep on icing it and a chance to settle down - 

Pleasant dreams,

big warm hug

renee

7

How are you this morning Gail?

8

"You don't need to do anything. There is no rush at all...." wise wise words, Rose. I'm trying to re-wire some of my thinking to fit more along those lines...... Because of the two surgeries being done close together it is feeling like world's longest convalescence. You are right about pillow. And I am very cautious on the stairs. Thank you.

9

Thanks, Annie. I had posterior. The whole thing sort of makes me shudder these days. I am grateful but it's also rather creepy..... The icing does help.

10

Thanks, Susie, I'm eating the right things and taking iron. Just need to be patient a bit.....the swelling is new to me and it is unsettling.....

11

Yes, I suspected that there was no fast track through the swelling. I don't like the sensation of being on the verge of popping. Shudder. I know I won't but still...... i really don't see why one surgery should be so diff from another. I feel like this one was done by a different (lesser!) surgeon!  

12

You mirror my experience, Renee! I had posterior but the 1st one was a bit more on the side, this is more where I SIT!! Ouch. There's like this firm bubble of swelling that moves about creepily. And I think the incision is larger by quite a lot. I do not have a fever.

I don't mean to be dramatic. It's far from unbearable. I am trying to be patient with my body; it has been through so much. I am just not used to this rapid onset exhaustion where I hit a wall for no reason and then wail and weep because I can't get my socks off, pants off, reach my water glass, etc. Disconcerting to my spouse too as it's not my nature. He attributes any tears to physical pain but that's not really it. It's just all of it. Sometimes it feels surreal. And too much!

Thanks for the hug and warm reply. Gail

Trying to ignore that little voice inside that sees me as a bit of a slacker. I know it's what I need. 

I appreciate your kind words. Gail

PS I take one 325 aspirin/day for blood thinner. The first time it was just a baby aspirin. Again, why the change? Sometimes I long for a thread of consistency through this whole thing......

13

Hi Rose, Today the sun is shining here in Michigan. It always affects us more than seems reasonable but I will take it and be grateful!! Swelling seems a smidge less massive AND I had a shower which always makes me feel mildly human and hopeful! Thanks for asking!!

14

It is all kind of creepy, isn't it. My sister (a nurse), my husband and I were all kind of shocked at how much swelling there was. Apparently some people have a lot, and some don't, sometimes even the same people with different operations have differenc experiences.

How does a person sit with a posterior incision? Since I wasn't allowed to sleep on my side for six weeks, and I can't sleep lying on my back (apnea), I had to sleep sitting propped up. Can't even imagine the posterior approach.

15

I had a lot of swelling the first time around, and hardly any for the second Op.

Graham

16

HI Gail:

So sorry that you are going through such a terrible patch in your recovery.  Every patient on this site has said that they have these ups and downs, so you are not alone in that.

I have not been through surgery, so do not really know what I am talking about....  But, from where I am sitting, not very comfortably, I might add - it seems that depression, frustration and impatience are the main bug bears post op.  This is enhanced by insufficient sleep and pain/discomfort causing irritation.  When these emotions rise to the surface, try to look at where you were before the op, and the road you are on now - to recovery, with some lumps and bumps along the way that seem to be set backs, but are all just part of the body's response to trauma and the adjustments it is having to make to accommodate your new hip.

By late Spring, possibly sooner, youwill be able to do things you never dreamed of doing six months ago. So keep going and take the bad with the good as much as possible because  you are on the right path, and it will only get better each day.

All the best,

Susie 

17

My leg only swelled up one time and it was big and it was painful.  So much so that I cried endlessly.  Pain medication would not help it, so they increased the Gabepentin I was taking and that at least helped me stop crying.  Then next I had to be checked for a blood clot and there was not one, thank God.  I had not swelling like that with my other two hip replacements.  I guess there is no way to predict how our bodies will react to the trauma.  

18

All true words, Susie! Spring will be a new less painful, more mobile me !

And we also have to keep in mind how transient our feelings are. One minute up, an hour later, despair. Today has been a good day. AND I had a 2.5 hr nap. I think at age 63 this may be the first nap of my life! Clearly, my body is telling me something, eh?? Thanks for your well wishes. Gail

19

Does anyone offer an explanation for why it might be so different, same patient, same surgeon, same operation? I grant that it IS, I am just curious what the variables are that create such different outcomes.

20

Perhaps it is the wearing down of energy reserves?  Start with one level of reserves for the first one, but the second one starts with a lower level because of the first one?  And I am talking about cellular energy, healing energy.  It all adds up.