Hi, everyone had THR, on right leg 2 weeks ago , both legs in surgical stockings but right leg seems to be still swollen and now ankle seems to be quite big , any idea how long this lasts, is there any way to help it reduce apart from lying down,more comfortable being up and mobile.
thanks bodger.
Early days for you bodger, everyone is different. Being mobile is good but when you are sitting just raise your right leg. The swelling should go down in the next week but if you have any concerns ask your doctor.
When I had a bilateral hip relacement I was told to take the support stockings off before bedtime and stick a pillow under the end of the mattress.
Ray
Hi bodger, 2 wks is still early days on your road to recovery, I'm 5 wks 2mrw post op left THR & my ankle has only just returned 2 it's normal size & now resembles the right ankle, sometimes felt like my stockings were gonna burst at the seams 4 the 1st few weeks? I'm a great believer in plenty of ice when keeping my leg elevated, really seems to help me, my sister brought me a large gel belt that I keep in the freezer which wraps around along with a velcro strap & it's an absolute godsend (no idea where she got it,but glad she found it) I've been using it over the past 4 yrs as I've had both knees replaced as well & due to have my right hip done in the next few months as well so it's gonna get a lot more use, hope your swelling goes down over the next couple of weeks & all goes well for you, good luck 😀
Thanks Meldrew and Tom, will give it a few more weeks,before i start to worry, Tom sounds like your gonna be setting off airport alarms before you get to them, good luck with all your surgery, my surgeon wants my stockings on 6 weeks day and night , guess they all have different opinions,seeing nursey on monday so will get different opinion again i guess.
thanks again Bodger.
Hi again bodger, ur not wrong about the the alarms, they're already talking about possibly having 2 replace my right shoulder due 2 severe OA & a few other problems 😭 I always have an hour without my stockings during the day (god, I sound like a x dresser?) just nice to have a bit of fresh air plus my partner gives my legs & feet a nice scrub 😃 all in all I'm pleased with the outcome if this latest procedure, had major problems with the TKR's which still need 2 be looked at, but like I say the THR seems 2 have gone really well 4 me? Once again good luck on ur rd 2 recovery 😀
I agree with Tom. Swelling is perfectly normal and my surgeon cofirmed this. I am 4 weeks post THR on left side. My left knee was like a grapefuit for two weeks and my foot has only just returned to normal. But I do get muscle camps in the left thigh at night that I cant got rid of. Everyone so different though!
Hi John, in a sordid sort of way, that's good 2 hear as I've been having muscle cramps 4 the past few nites in my left thigh, seems 2 come on if I turn a certain way laying in bed & if I could I'm sure I'd jump out of my bed & run round the room 4 a minute 2 take it off, but as u know this can't be done 😊 it seemed 2 last 4 a long while y/day & I couldn't seem 2 shift it no matter what I tried, not 2 bad 2day tho so hoping it will just fade away as time goes by? Hope things sort themselves out 4 u John, good luck 😃
Yes, its the same for me too...cannot shift the muscle contractions - and daytime too.!! Comfort in numbers!! Good Luck.
Hi Bodger I had my op 17 days ago and posted a similar question on here! I wasn't given any stockings, though other patients, under different surgeon were. I am still injecting my stomach with Fragmin.
The lovely people on this forum suggested stockings so I have just been wearing one on my right leg during the daytime. Even with this, my foot and toes were so swollen it was uncomfortable to walk! In the past two days the swelling has gone down dramatically. Practice nurse told me that walking, rather than standing, helped to move the fluid around and this really seems to have been true for me. However, as everyone keeps saying - no two people are the same! My husband had his THR 20 months ago and still gets a swollen foot from time to time. Ice didn't seem to help me but my hubbie used to massage my leg, each evening, from knee to toes.
Pat
If you are concerned please do contact you Dr or Nurse. If you have heat or pain at the site of swelling this is especially important. I am sure it is just the normal after surgery swelling - but I had a PE (pulmonary embolism) following my surgery and had not taken any notice of my swollen knee. Not trying to scare anyone! Just make sure you keep an eye on things and check with medical professionals.
I don't know how long this swelling lasts for everyone, I guess some don't get much....I had anterior right hip almost 4 yrs ago and did get a little ankle swelling, but since I have been taking the antioxidants: grapeseed extract and pycnogenol for MANY YEARS....knew to up my grape seed for a while and the swelling was gone.....
These antioxidants do so much for our entire body systems including edema issues....found them in 1995.....
Good luck to all. Only giving my results on many things over my life. j
Hi Bodger
I had a thr 12 weeks ago and my operated leg has just started going down. I elevated my leg higher than my head for 1 hour a day, just lying on the bed with a couple of pillows under it. Although it came back, it was not bad, but now I can walk better and move around, the leg is a lot easier. If your leg feels tight, try rubbing it with E45 cream. I promise it will get better.
Cath
Hi Bodger
The same as everyone else early days try and keep mobile. If you are elevating your leg make sure it's above your heart. Ideally flat on you back will legs up. Remember it's major surgery I had my first one done about 16 months ago and it still lets me know it's there. If I do a lot my foot would swell at times. I spoke with my consultant he said it can take up to 2 years to fully heal and totally recover. I have seen ithr discussions about what can you do with regard to activity I am really active I enjoy outdoor pursuits canoes hiking rock climbing sport. A lot of the things are probably against the rules. So give it time try and keep mobile and hopefully look forward to a new pain free life. I'm 41 and everyone tried to talk me out of it but is was the best decision I ever made in a few months you will be thinking what was I worrying about.