Happy days!

Posted , 9 users are following.

Hi all I posted not that long ago, I got out of hospital on Friday sadly I ended back in hospital this morning and staying in till tomorrow morning, they through I had a blood clot but I don't. My knee and ankle are still badly swollen but my doctor said all I can do is go for walks, do my exercise and put a pillow under my leg at night. So getting home tomorrow morning. This might sound stupid but tonight is the first night since I had my hip replacement I got in to bed my self with no help at all, I am really happy about that.

Any advice for the swollen leg?

Megan

1 like, 32 replies

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  • Posted

    First off - whew. That must have been good to hear.

    I think your doctor covered most of what we hear here. The only thoughts I have are to repeat that finding the right balance in time sitting or standing is pretty important as fluid/swelling pools to te lowest point. Try propping you foot up for either of these (even 4-6 inches makes a difference).

    I icing with a big gel pack or bag of frozen peas helped me (10 min on; 20 off) . And keeping circulation going when in bed with foot rolls and toe pumps.

    I hope everything goes better for you soon. This stage lasted about 12 days for me so be patient. I hope the docs gave you a decision tree for deciding whether to go back to the ER if things get worse.

    Hugs,

    L

    • Posted

      Hi Linda,

      Yeah am happy if isn't a blood Clot. I was advance not to use ice as at this moment the leg that is badly swollen is already colder than the other leg. They said the only think that can help it is walking, exercise, putting my leg up at night, not sitting to long. The doctor checked me yesterday night and said the swollen is starting to go down a wee bit. They told me if it gets worse to come back.

      I am 9 days since I've had it done so far.

      Thank-you smile xx

  • Posted

    Ice! Try using frozen peas or mixed veges as an ice pack. Put in a pillowcase so it's not so cold. I found that a king size pillow works great as your whole leg can rest on it. I put both my legs on it. Ice often.

  • Posted

    I hate to be dense but where do you put the ice?  Megan, you must have been so frightened, I am glad there is no clot!  Elevate, elevate, elevate.  One thing  I am going to try ( i prepared the bags) rubbing aspherol ( spelling?) alcohol and water in a zip lock bag, put it in the freezer it will be ice cold yet stiill liquid and not a hard block so very pilable. I have them ready for next week.  I kept thinking the ice would go where the incision would be. hopefully not!

    All the best Megan, praying for you!! xox

    • Posted

      I put ice where swollen. My physical therapist said that was crucial in help getting swelling down as well as elevating and walks. I had developed a swollen area that I did not notice but my therapist noticed right below my knee the size of a tennis ball. Turns out between using these compression hose & a sequential compression device on my legs it had created the swell. Dr said to take a break from the compression device & hose. And ice it. By the next day it had gone down considerably. I too was worried it was a clot, but it didn't hurt, nor was it red. I quit using the compression device and just wear the hose. ??

    • Posted

      Avoid the scar tissue along your incision! There are many versions of ice/gel packs that you can get at most pharmacies but a bag of rozen peas works well wrapped in a tea towel or flannel. And you can reuse it - just mark it so no one eats them after 😕😲😱.

      Put the pack anywhere that swelling is bad - for me this changed over time and depending on activities. At first the thigh was the worst then gradually as I got more mobile the swelling tended to gather around my knee or ankle.

      Good luck Annette.

      L

    • Posted

      Hi there, I was told not to put ice on it as the leg that is swollen is already colder than the other leg. They thing they said is to, go for walks, exercise, out my leg up at night and that should help it.

      Yeah I was I went for X Ray's, scans and lots of tests. I am happy it isn't.

      Thank-you hope everything is well with you too!

      Megan xx

  • Posted

    Hi Megan -- Too bad you're back in the hospital but it sounds like you are getting good care.  It took me 4-5 days, I think, before I could get in and out of bed on my own.  So good for you for being where you are.    For the swollen leg, a friend told me about massaging my leg.  I looked it up on YOuTube and followed the instructions and it really helped.  She said that the lymph nodes get sluggish and aren't moving the fluid out.  So I did a bit of a massage of the lymph nodes in my groin, lower abdomen area and followed that with upward strokes of my thigh -- toward the groin.  I did that for a couple days and the swelling went right away.  Not sure it works for everyone but it worked for me and it felt good to.  If you have someone who could do that massaging for you, all the better.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Hugs,  Leslie

    • Posted

      Hi there, I am getting out this morning they just wanted to keep me in to check me and to check everying is fine. Before my op I couldn't get into bed my self I need assistances of family remembers, but now yesterday I done it all my self with no assistances!. Thank-you I will give it a ago when I go home and see if it works.

      Hope your well!

  • Posted

    Hi Megan:

    Sorry you ended up back in the hospital. So happy you didn't have a clot. Best thing is rest, elevation and ice. Isn't it great to make an achievement like being able to get into a bed by ourself? It took me a couple of weeks, was able to get out a few days before I actually managed the getting back in part...lol....so the end of next week going to be starting it all over again. I am sure my husband is not looking forward to being woke up several times a night with me asking for help. Hope you feel better soon....Hugs....Barbredface

    • Posted

      It's ok, I am getting out today I am just glad it isn't a blood clot. They told me to have my leg up at night, do exercises and walk. Yeah I was so happy when I got into bed my self, before this op I needed assistances go get in and out of my bed but yesterday I didn't!. I hope it goes well and keep me posted!!

      Megan xxx

  • Posted

    you are so cute, Megan ...

    I hope you don't have to travel too far to get home ...

    elevate leg and walking sounds good - you just had major surgery and a lot of healing is already taking place ..

    so be gentle with megan -

    big warm hug

    renee 

     

    • Posted

      Hi renee

      Nope don't need to travel far plus I found it easier getting in car then the first time. Do you stay in the U.K.? I am like less than 10 mins away from the hospital by car. They said even walking outside is good but just to be extra careful. My scar is healing absolutely fine they said.

      Hug back smile hope your well

      Megan x

  • Posted

    After reading these posts I am a little concerned. 0Are there any hippies here who like me live alone and if so how do they cope getting in and out of bed? I was unaware that this might be difficult.
    • Posted

      Hi there, you can ask for equipment from your OT like bed rails they asked me but I didn't need them as I don't live alone. Is it the first couple of days can be hard getting in and out but once you get use to it it's fine. Definitely ask your OP. Hope you get it sorted

      Megan xx

    • Posted

      Hi DeeAnne , 

      You will be taught in the hospital (by PT) how to get out and in to bed before they discharge you - 

      Is your bed elevated ?  it is better if the bed is at a certain height - I sit down where knees touch matrass, lift my legs, pivot on butt (lean a bit backwards) and reverse when getting out ... this was the only way I could do it - 

      I live alone and had 2 THR surgeries -

      I remember you getting bilateral ....

      angel blessings

      renee 

       

    • Posted

      Hi DeeAnne -- I live alone.  I did have my sister stay with me the first week post-op.  I think I only needed help getting into bed for a couple days.  I was able to raise that surgical leg fairly quickly.  And I kept the walker right by my bed so I could sit up, swing around, and then stand up using the walker.  I could get into bed OK and then my sister would put pillows all around, between, under, etc., so I could sleep on my back comfortably.  She left 7 days post-op and I was able to get in and out of bed fine after that.        Everything else just took a little longer.  I used the walker for a couple of weeks and it was hard to carry anything.  I put coffee in a mug with a lid so I could carry it.  Slid plates of food along.  Wasn't always easy but it was doable.            I bet you'll be fine -- the getting in and out of bed was really pretty easy for me.  Good luck!

    • Posted

      Thank you Leslie. I am going to have both hips done together so I won't have a "good" leg to start with. My sister in law will be around for the 1st week but perhaps not at bedtime so hopefully I will get the hang of getting in and out of bed quickly. ??

    • Posted

      Wow -- both hips done together.  I've heard other people have great success with this but.....wow!  I hope you'll be able to post lots after the surgery because I'll be interested in how it goes.  Just remembering how painful my hip was before the surgery, I think I'd prefer to have both done together rather than still have a painful hip.  And it's amazing how much weight I could put on my leg right after surgery.  So I'm sure you'll do fine with it.  I hope your sister in law will be able to help you get into bed....at least the first couple nights.  How many nights will you be in the hospital?  Hugs, Leslie

    • Posted

      Morning Leslie! I too am finding ways to get stuff while using the walker! ?? Last night I could no longest and looking at my kitchen floor so I managed to sweep and mop it!! My husband was freaked out! I told him I can't be sitting around all day! My floor is clean!! blessings to you on your recovery! ??

    • Posted

      Morning Linda -- It's 4:50 am and I'm up in my recliner, not able to sleep!  Aargh!  But great to find someone else posting here.    I clean floor is such a treat -- good for you for doing that.  Just be sure to rest now.  I forget how many weeks post op you are, Linda.  I'm 6 weeks.  I swept my floor the other day but haven't mopped yet.  I did hire cleaning people who have come every other week since the surgery.   What a help that has been.  Vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms well, the kitchen.  Often I would wash the sheets and they'd make the bed.  Has been such a help.  Last Friday was the last day I scheduled with them so I'll see how I do on my own now.   Enoy that clean floor today!  Hugs,  Leslie

    • Posted

      Thanks Leslie...I was told about 5 or 6 days in hospital. Hopefully I will get the hang of everything before I leave ☺
    • Posted

      It's 7:25 here on Texas. Sorry you can't sleep! Yea when I was done last night I was hurting but I'm noticing that by 7 or so in the evening I'm in more pain than the whole day. Even when I'm not doing much! My husband has been really great in taking care of me but he's not use to keeping house! ?? I have always been the one cleaning and stuff since I don't work. And I'm a stickler on that!! I'm 2 weeks & 2 days out. I'm a lil discouraged on my progress....as I was hoping to be able to put full weight on my operated leg but I can't. How's your recovery coming along?

    • Posted

      Good luck for your operation. When is it? I am 8 days post op today. Better keep us posted!

      Megan x

    • Posted

      Thanj you Megan. My operation is 16th Aug. I will certainly post details of my progress afterwards. Hope your recovery goes well x
    • Posted

      Hi Linda -- I was able to doze a bit between 4:50 and 7:00.  Ugh though.  We have our condo AGM tonight -- hope I can stay awake!  LOL.      I am doing really well.  I've never had any pain in the joint since the surgery....the only pain I had was from the burn caused by the dressing.  And that was VERY painful.  If I hadn't had that, it all would have been great.    I'm 6.5 weeks out.  It doesn't hurt to walk but I am just weaker on that side.  So I'm doing my exercises to strengthen those glutes.  And walking lots.  A couple years ago I bought a FitBit -- keeps track of steps, etc.  I used to have a goal of 10,000 steps a day but I've changed it to 5,000 steps since the surgery.  That's right around 2 miles I think.  I break it up throughout the day.      I remember feeling impatient around the 3-4 week time.  But it is really early days.  Try to be patient.          What does it feel like to put full weight on your surgical leg?  Pain?  Mine just felt week, I think.  I'm not sure when you're supposed to put full weight on the leg.......I think 2 weeks might be early to do that.  I still sometimes use a can in the condo and then a crutch when I go outside for my longer walks.  Keeps me from limping and probably does keep my full weight off that leg.            A good friend had her hip done in January.  Her husband was great keeping care of her.  But the housework part drove her crazy.  She finally hired a house cleaner.  Was going to be short term but I think she still has the cleaner.          Hugs,  Leslie

    • Posted

      I'm glad you'll be in the hospital for 5-6 days, DeeAnne.  That will give you a bit more time to heal and learn the ropes.  I found the nurses/physios in the hospital were amazing and really knew their stuff.  Best of luck!!!!!

    • Posted

      Hi there, well I wish you all the best, they didn't want me to get my hip replace till I was 30. I was able to walk from the ward to the car which was about a 5min walk so proud about that. I have bad swollen but other wise fine.

      Thanks

      Megan x

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