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Hard swelling around the new hip area

Posted , 4 users are following.

Lucindagl
Lucindagl

i hope I'm panicking about nothing, but I have rally really hard swelling around my new hip area, and I'm panicking that the hip has extended further out on the new hip than the good (non operated) hip. I've been in quite a lot of pain since physio 2 days ago, so that's not helping my worries, but in the mirror the operated hip looks 2 inches wider than the other. Is this normal? I'm panicked that I'll have two different widths of hip forever. Hopefully it's just the swelling which is just really, really hard, but I thought swelling was softer than that? 

If anyone can help my fears that would be great. Are the hips supposed to still be symmetrical after surgery? 

Thank you. I am going to see my surgeon tomorrow to check with him, but I am just so panicked. It doesn't feel agonising enough to be dislocated, but I am hyper mobile so I just don't know. 

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • samantha_2158
    samantha_2158 Lucindagl

    Posted

    Click here to view image
    • Lucindagl
      Lucindagl samantha_2158

      Posted

      Thanks Sam. I call mine a Kim Kardashian bum too! It feels so bloody hard to the touch that I thought perhaps they'd put the hip in wrong and that it was sticking out - and that I'd have to start designing jeans with different shaped hips for each side. I called my surgeon in such a panic and he says I can go and see him tomorrow for reassurance. I thought swelling was soft... but this feels so bony. I'm a skinny minky too so perhaps I notice it more. I'm only 2.5 weeks so I guess I just need to hang on in there. I hadn't anticipated the recovery being so slow, when they said 6 weeks to me I was like "yeah I'll do it in three". Yeah that's not happening.

      Thanks so much for your reassurance. I don't care how long it takes to look normal, I just care that there isn't a major problem...

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Lucindagl

    Posted

    I'm sure your experiencing swelling. I've as much as possible .Many hippies had experienced the same as well as knee leg and ankle. It is major surgery, I had purchased Boot pump from Amazon for on my leg used it 3 times a day to help with the swelling.  I was on blood thinners and it was after I stopped those 3 weeks after surgery that the swelling mostly went down . My feet were so swollenwearing size 11 mens slippers. The first time after  3 THR and my bum was totally gone.

    Walking and exercises help with the blood and oxygen flow which my doc explained helps build bone around the implant to secure the components.

    Keep Luci posting every one is different has different healing & PT experiences .

    Last Jan. I had  PT For 10 days 3 days after THR revision 3 times a day and walked every time I received my pain meds. Otherwise It was too painful . Now after all the Pt just resting. Ask for,water Pt is is gentler using water resistance. Very comfortable not putting a lot of weight on area floating in water with noodles. Gave me so much confidence.

    Thr was so worth it each time getting back my mobility the greatest gift to have freedom to walk without severe pain . It a worth the healing and PT as hard as it can be for some we all get thru it.

    All of the hippies on this forum are all fighters and beleive that we will have our lives back. There is so much more positive than negative with so many hippos here to encourage your way thru to recovery. 

    See the Patient health infor on this forum on THR for more information, it covers all aspects of THR. from A-Z.

    Getting  thru the early stages is what makes us stronger . I thank everyone on this forum that can share and help,so many others get thru the rough patches. I know I couldn't have done it without the encouragement from so many on this forum.

    Peace & Healing sent your way,

    Hope xxxx 😊

    • Lucindagl
      Lucindagl hope4cure

      Posted

      I so agree with you re this forum. It is amazing!!! I only have swelling at my actual hip - the rest of my leg is absolutely normal. I just have a large 3 inch diameter bump that sticks out 3 inches around my actual hip bone and it feels so bony - when I put my finger on it and move I can feel the hip move and it feels like it's right there, not buried 3 inches under the swelling. So that's why I'm so worried I guess. Seeing my surgeon today though, for the reassurance that this hardy bony lump is actually swelling and not bone.

    • samantha_2158
      samantha_2158 Lucindagl

      Posted

      I think it's always good to get it checked if you're worried just for piece of mind. My swelling was very hard though and I am also quite slim. The area under my scar is still fairly hard although gradually getting better. It's s strange feeling!

      Let us know how you get on. Hopefully all is normal.

      Sam x

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Lucindagl

    Posted

    Just want to encourage you to keep movin and follow thru. There are many hippies that are so helpful and encouraging . 

    Peace and healing 

    Hope xxx 😊

  • Lucindagl
    Lucindagl

    Posted

    Thank you to everyone for being so encouraging. The surgeon sent me for an xray and he says it all looks ok, so i've been told to go back onto two crutches when the pain is bad, and more exercises to get the leg out to the side (my worst). And to slow down.

    He thinks it's the swelling that's causing the pain around there. I pray he's right!

    • samantha_2158
      samantha_2158 Lucindagl

      Posted

      That's great news that all is ok and good to have it checked. I too was surprised at how hard the swelling is and you look very lopsided for a while. The good news is it does go - at just over 5 weeks now mine is no longer noticeable, just a little hard around the scar. The swelling is painful so I'm sure that's what is hurting. I did rub it a bit when I could bear to which did help disperse it.

      Out to the side is really sore for a while. My physio told me tiny movements to start with (I was trying too hard and it really hurt!) and gradually you can go further. It's the slowest movement to improve for me. Also lying down you can put a magazine under your operated leg's foot and gentle movements outwards with no gravity - slightly easier to begin with!

      Click here to view image

      Sam x

    • Lucindagl
      Lucindagl samantha_2158

      Posted

      Thanks Sam - poor you having that slip, ouch. you're right about small improvements week on week too, i can see them now. I think i keep thinking i'll wake up being able to walk so I judge my progress against being able to walk again rather than where i have come from. And so good to hear aobut the side exercise being so difficult for you too. 

      I"m going to try to rub my hard swelling (ow ow ow ow ow) when i can bear it!

      Thank you. and i'm trying not to rush. i wanted to be the fastest person to ever recover from a hip operation but I'm trying to let that go... 

      x

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