Day 5 post op

Oooops me again..... Should say south yorkshire!

hiya glad all going well. put two pillows under your knees and one under your ankles. I bought a triangular support for my pillow it wasbrilliant. it lifted my pillows high enough so sleeping on my back was more comfortable.  I had swelling

(huge) but after 10 days went down.  I noticed the swelling increased as I walked about too but it does disappear.

You could try sleeping sat up a little bit that's how I managed it, the leg swelling will last anything up to a couple of months or more, even 15 weeks post op I still get a little bit of leg swelling especially if I have done a lot of walking or been on feet all day standing, but definitely does get better xx ps I am in Cromer norfolk

You are doing really well

i was shocked about day 10 when my knee swelled up and my ankle, but everyone on here assured me it was normal. Apparently we get pulled and pushed about. Whoever held onto my ankle np must have had a vice like grip!!!

leg can swell quite a bit don't forget to rest with leg up and those good old ice packs

good luck

 

Just as others have said let swelling is something they had not warned about. I went to bed afternoon feet up on pillows and ice pack on knee. I usually slept as I too found sleeping on back difficult. Still have a bit of knee ankle swelling at 8 weeks+ but consultant said it will go in time.. Just remember they dislocate your hip and if you had a broken leg for example you would be in a cast for 6 weeks at least. You're doing great and you will see a wee improvement every day.

Having had surgery without sedation I suppose I am not at all surprised that there is swelling!! Just wondered how long it usually lasts!!!!  Going to try the pillow suggestions for sleeping on back..... All of this a small price to pay for a new life!

You are doing amazingly well, Jane. To be able to cut down the meds to that level on just day 5 is brilliant but don't try and go superwoman. We all want to get off the meds ASAP but if you need them, take them. There is plenty of time when we are further down the line in our recovery to cut down the meds. In particular you need to keep taking some sort of anti-inflammatory as that is what helps the swelling the most so please keep up the Brufen if the swelling is a big problem for you.

Sleeping is one of the most difficult things I found. I am 5 days post op on my second hip replacement and last time I ended up sleeping mostly in my electric recliner as sleeping on my back in bed was really painful! It's something we just have to endure until we have recovered enough to be able to sleep on our sides. There are things on the market to make sleeping easier and there should be lots of people on here able to advise.

You are doing great though for only day 5. Keep posting and let us know how you are getting on. All success stories are inspiring to others about to travel the same route.

Take care.

Ali xx

I heard it is hard to adjust ( if ever) to sleeping on your back..I have that treat in store.  Good to hear you are only on paracetomol and brufen..as I worry (!) that strong painkillers make you feel unwell...yikes..

Carry on feeling graet and I hope when I am home on 12th Sept ( go in 7th) I will progress as you have.