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Ankle swelling on leg with thr 10 weeks post op

Posted , 7 users are following.

peggy15811
peggy15811

Yesterday I noticed my leg ankle swelling badly around the ankle bone. No noticeable pain except leg above that area has extreme sensitivity upon touch, other then that it does not have more noticeably pain. I might mention. I had a quick healing hip with little pain until I started outpatient P.T. and I had TKR on the same leg one year ago. The knee was healed well enough to walk and do most things normally without pain, but my stamina was low. I had slow healing on the knee but was doing well when I had hip surgery. I am 70 years young but had been fairly inactive for a few years because of knee and hip pain.  I was elated with my easy quick hip surgery. I had mini-posterior. I got through my restrictions and had in home PT. I was walking in the house without my cane, only using the cane when leaving the house because my other knee still needs replacement and causes me pain. Well 2 weeks into a gradual outpatient PT program, I am getting knee or at least a lot of pain around the replaced knee. Every morning when I wake up the pain is so bad on my knee areas that I can barely walk!  After a pain pill (I had stopped them weeks ago but need them again), I gradually can shower and dress for the day. I used the walker (put away after my 2nd week) today. I noticed last night my left ankle was badly swollen (same leg as hip and knee replacements). I put my big gel ice pack down my left leg from knee to ankle. This morning the ankle was down ever so slightly, but still swollen. Walking is still hard. I should mention on Sunday we went to my daughters house and I went up and down a full set of stairs for the first time since surgery. PT is working me, but very gradually and he is careful. It is the same therapist I had for my knee and he is good. Today (Monday) I cancelled my PT for today and Wednesday. My thinking is I just need to rest in my recliner with my kegs up and ice them a few times a day. Question?  Has anyone here had anything like this happen at 10 weeks post op? Also have they had their ankle swell after hip replacement? I am very confused about this. I rarely ever have swelling, I had no ankle swelling after knee replacement and one day of swelling after my hip, so this is perplexing. I am on my feet more, have been going grocery shopping etc. we do have hard tile floors but I always wear my shoes for support (Merrells). I am worried something else is going on.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • barbara920
    barbara920 peggy15811

    Posted

    Hi Peggy

    Have you contacted your surgeon concerning this. I think you really should. It is better to be safe then sorry.

    Barbara

    • peggy15811
      peggy15811 barbara920

      Posted

      I have a doctor appt. in a week but did not know if it is an emergency or not. I know swelling is quite normal after surgery. I am just wondering about ankle swelling from hip replacement surgery. My doctor does surgeries on Tuesday and Thursday so the earliest I can call is Wednesday and he would probably try to fit me Friday if it was an emergency. I'm not sure if it is? I've never had a blood clot in my life. I bleed and bruise easily so never really worried about it. I do own compression hose but need help to get them on now as I still use the grabber to dress. I bought the hose to wear after surgery but never could get them on myself. This is the hardest part of the whole surgery. I cannot get my stamina back and trying has caused further physical issues. I'm just feeling depressed that I did both of these to be more active and it's made me less. I'm truly hoping I just over-did. I am using the walker, icing and keeping my foot up as much as possible. I live in Las Vegas and it has been extremely hot along with unusual humidity. I went to the store and then to my daughter's 2 story house on Saturday. Monday I did laundry and some cleaning, I'm hoping I just over did.....

  • tricia7777
    tricia7777 peggy15811

    Posted

    You didn't mention anything about using compression stockings. Are you? I agree with Barbara that this is something you should definitely mention to your doctor. Blood clots are a serious concern for THR patients.

  • Paulas777
    Paulas777 peggy15811

    Posted

    I think you should consult your doctor. I know before the surgery, I had severe degenerative change, edema, synovitis, a gangleon cyst, etc. If I had that kind of swellilng after the surgery, I believe I would contact my doctor asap.  
  • julie40975
    julie40975 peggy15811

    Posted

    Hi Peggy

    I had a blot clot 1 week after surgery no pain in leg but was swollen. I woke up with chest pains and had clot on my lung. If in doubt get checked. Can't believe you went to your daughters 2 storey house. Just stop rest and look after yourself. Ask your daughter to shop for you. You need some TLC. Having surgery can make you feel quite depressed I found myself crying at nothing. Being in pain and feeling down is not a good combination and I hope you start to feel better soon

    Very best wishes from UK 🇬🇧

    JULIE

  • renee01952
    renee01952 peggy15811

    Posted

    hi peggy , 

    you know, I agree with previous posts - see a doctor as soon as possible - maybe go to urgent care or emergency room - just to get peace of mind -

    It can be brutal in Las Vegas and takes a toll on the body - 

    Swelling is normal after hip replacement surgery - 10 weeks out and a sudden swelling sounds different though ...

    I had swelling starting at top of leg and making it down gradually to linger around ankle for 10 days ... 

    I hope that rest will make the swelling go down, but I would still go to urgent care to have it looked at ...

    keep using some walking support and slow down --- your body has gone through a lot recently and needs time to heal ... 

    be kind to your self and your body, Peggy ... she is doing the best she can!!!!

    big warm hug

    renee

  • peggy15811
    peggy15811

    Posted

    Sorry did not get back to everyone who so kindly answered. It's been a tough week or longer. I tried to get into see my surgeon but he was doing surgeries. I planned to try again on Wednesday, but the swelling went down suddenly very significantly. I still had the thigh pain but swelling was down. I called on Monday and cancelled my PT for the week, so I tried to relax, keep legs elevated and used gel ice packs. I talked to a nurse who told me a blood clot would look red at the swelling and have a smooth look to the skin. I had neither, so felt relief there. I've done a lot of reading in this forum and it sounds like I have exactly what many others do with the thigh pain. It doesn't make me happy since most said it took 5 to 6 months to go away, but I will get through it and am relieved to know it is fairly normal to happen. My hip was semi-posterior and it was done cementless with a Stryker brand. I guess from what I have read here is it takes that long for the bone to grow around the stem and until it does you can have this pain. It is worse when I try to do much, so this is just going to take time. I go back to PT tomorrow. I am going to see if I should keep going. If it just makes it worse I don't see a point.

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