ok folks this is day 13 following a total hip replacement i’m doing ok but my operated leg is swollen all the way down especially my foot & ankle, i’m told this is normal but would love feedback from fellow hippies ps get my staples out in 2 days time.
Hi David, don’t worry,I had swollen ankles, legs and feet, even though only one hip was replaced. It lasted about a week, I think. I’m 7 weeks post op and have other issues like my other hip acting up a bit and my knee as well. Got a Velcro type back brace to help with back pain and everything is doing quite well now. There may be another hip replacement in my future!!! Give it time. (Easy for me to say, I was worried too lol.
thanks very much Cecelia that’s very reassuring. I wish you all the best on your road to recovery
Are you elevating and icing it? That is good to do.
hi Diannesk, no i’m not icing or elevating, no one has mentioned about this to me
Totally normal. I'm about 5 months post op and my ankles are finally almost equal size now.
I’m 11 weeks post op and still a bit swollen, numb on parts of leg and foot. Mine might take a while. The foot feels very tight still. So don’t worry... it will improve.
Hi David
Yes yes yes..lots of icing..and elevate ..the hospital sent me home with ice packs..I'm shocked they didn't tell you..ice was the best for me .and movement..good luck
Connie
I put ice pack on (using cloth underneath... never directly on the skin) for about 10-15 minutes at a time several times a day. When doing that I made sure to elevate my leg. Before going to bed, I elevated/iced again and made sure to be careful of the amount of amount of time. It does help to reduce swelling.
I am a bit further ahead than you as I had my surgery on July 26th. I saw my surgeon on August 10th and he was happy with my progress. I had swollen thighs, calves, ankles like you with bruising on my ankles at that time and he said that was normal and not to expect it to resolve until 3 months or even more. Now at 31/2 weeks they hare not as swollen but still have swelling and ankles feel tight and sore but getting better. The surgeon told me that I had major surgery and not to overdo it. I was walking with a stick ( and a bit with out it) at that 2 week stage. Now I can walk without a stick but am careful especially walking around the garden. My main problem is travelling in the car ( my wife driving of course) when my hip and legs feel quite painful with the tight fit & going over bumps etc.
Hi David I'm 10.5 weeks post op and had swelling above the knee for several weeks. I found that the compression stockings seemed to make it worse and took them off probably more than I should have to get some relief. I elevated my leg a lot and also massaged it to try and get the fluid moving.
Don't worry it will eventually reduce it just takes time. Good luck.
Hi david,
Very few people do not swell after this operation, my swelling was always worse at evening after being on it all day, then I would go and lie down. I never iced, like you I was never told. The swelling stopped after around week 8.
Hi David, I was so surprised to hear that you hadn't been told to elevate and ice your leg, and trust you're doing so now. I can't tell you how much it helped me - I'm nearly 6 weeks after surgery and doing well. The other thing that's so important is to exercise regularly every day. I hope the physiotherapist in your hospital gave you a set of exercises to do regularly, it's so important! I was also recommended to download an excellent free app on my phone called PocketPhysio - it's not available on iPad or tablet - phone only. Do have a look at it. All the best David.
Hi David, don't worry this is norm - I had the same and eventually it was ok?
Regards
J
Hello David, today I am 5 days post op and had swelling yesterday that kinda freaked me out. My whole leg was swollen and I was concerned. But, like the others said on here, I was told and forgot to elevate it twice a day and ice it also. After elevating the leg and icing it down,the swelling went way down. I was told the more you walk the quicker you will build those muscles back up, but I was over doing it. I have so much less pain with this hip replacement than the last one, that I have to remind myself...slow down...it takes time with major surgery. So,elevate that leg,get it high enough so that foot is higher that your heart, and ice that thigh. Your fellow hippie Tim.
Pillows in the car can help. The seatbelt was annoying and hurt so I always put a folded up towel in between the seat belt and me on the side. Also important to push seat back so legs can stretch out.
My hospital never mentioned icing either although I had read it on this forum and had bought an Ice pack from Amazon. In fact I never actually needed to use it so. It is still in its packaging.
Hi David,
it’s all quite normal. I had swollen legs, and normally I’m slim. The hospital told me to take off my compression socks during the day because I was very active, but to wear them at night. I used to find that my legs got increasingly swollen during the day, and then at night they settled down.
As the others have said, ice and elevate. Someone on here, can’t remember who, suggested freezing a damp face cloth in a plastic bag. My sister had her hip replaced recently, and she said it works brilliantly!
All the best with your recovery,
Judith
Hi David,
I'm now just 6 weeks post operative. Swelling of ankle and leg is quite normal so don't worry. My knee is still sore a bit, but foot swelling gone down a lot. After my 4th week I began to feel better, so be patient.