Hemi Arthoplasty

Did you leave the hospital with compression stockings? I had to wear them for 6 weeks. Off one hour a day so your skin doesn't shrivel and fall off. I know they were to help prevent blood clots but they might work on edema as well. ( I assume you mean that with "swollen and Tight" I'd check w the doctor/nurse/PA first, see if edema is a normal post op side effect and how to treat it. Sorry it's the middle of the night in the UK or you'd have many more people to ask. I'm in the US and it's only 9:30 pm. Are you in pain because of this? Did it just happen suddenly or slowly? Until you know for sure, try the traditional lay down w feet higher than heart. I do believe the swelling is normal in some cases, but I am no doctor. You can do this twice a day, for about an hour. If after a couple of days and you see no change, call your doctor, they might order those compression stockings. Good luck with everything!!  

Have you been wearing different shoes? On the weekend, I did a lot of walking when my sister was visiting. I wore a very good quality pair of walking shoes, but I wasn't accustomed to wearing them and my lower legs were quite sore and a bit swollen at the end of each day.

Hi Marion, 

I tried to reply earlier but the reply got frozen out (sometimes the system gets hinky).

I don't know much about your procedure but I got a fair amount of swelling from my THR esp early on or when sitting or standing for extended periods (swelling pools to the lowest point).

The advice I got was to: 1) elevate my leg. I used a memory foam pillow lengthwise under both legs with a cushion propped under at the toes to elevate further. 2)  do simple exercises (e.g., toe stretches in both directions ; count to 5; repeat 10 times) these help increase circulation 3) use ice packs on the swollen areas BUT BE SURE TO AVOID THE INCISION.

I received a fairly extensie booklet from our clinic and it advises: if leg gets very red, hot and hard seek medical attention promptly - this may indicate a blood clot or infection and it is serious.

If in doubt, call you GP or surgeon (good luck getting through I hear) or go to teh ER.

I hope this helps a little - I found the degree of swelling quite scary. I actually had to borrow sleep pants (flannel) from my husband to be loose enough to accomodate the swelling and stay reasonably presentable!

But I soon learned how to regulate my time sitting or standing and that helped a lot. If you prop your foot up on a small box or low stool when sitting it helps as well - esp if distanced a little so you can get your leg straight.  

Good luck and do come back if you need any advice or just someone to chat to or 'listen'.  

Cheers.

Linda    

Slight possinility of a DVT so if swelling new , sudden , not clearly related to activity you should grt this checked urgently especially if calf is swollen or sore honey , otherwise if oedema then youve got great advice below xxx  ps good morning from England x

Good morning Marion, I am 7 and half weeks post op and have had swelling  in my knee and ankle since the operation which fluctuates. Some days and nights it flails up and aches and other days it is less obvious. I even get a swollen red foot some days. When I saw my consultant for the 6 week check I asked him about it and his advice was:

- swelling in any part of the leg after THR is normal and can commonly last for 3 months and less commonly for longer. Sometimes also in the unoperated leg. 

- it can get worse with too much or too little activity so need to find the right balance as everyone is different

- if it is sudden and accompanied by acute pain (rather than a dull pain) see a doctor in case of dvt

- it is probably a result of muscles and tendons being stretched, realigned, aggravated especially if you have been walking with a limp pre op for a long time

- my consultant didn't seem to think ice would help me as some for certain types of swelling it doesn't help BUT he did say it couldn't do any harm for short periods but not near scar area

- last thing he said but which I remind myself of every day, when inexplicably the pain is worse or at night when I can't sleep or get comfortable (most nights!) is try not to get disheartened...

I have also been given the advice about elevating the leg and try to do this most days when possible. Definitely helps it feel better even if swelling is stubborn.

Good luck :-)

Basia

Hi Marion,

Nothing much to add to the great advice you've been given, but from your post it seems that this swelling is sudden and unexpected.  If I am correct and it doesn't go down with rest and elevation I would go and get it checked out.  It's awful sitting and worrying that something might be wrong so even if it's just for your peace of mind ask a professional to have a look at it.

Cels Xx

Hi Marion, 

Welcome to our hippies forum  ... 

I agree with previous comments and questions asked - 

One more question: did you have your follow up appointment ?

Did you get a new x-ray ? 

Please let us know how you are getting on - we love to hear from you

big warm hug

renee

Thanks for all responses .In Hindsight I realise I had changed shoes and did a lot of activities . I now realise that I was running before I could walk!!

Hi Marion

Like all the rest of hippy friends, I think at this stage we are expecting to po much. Your body is getting used to the new hip and the way you walk. I'm 14 weeks post op and still get muscle tension in the operated leg. My foot is still swollen and the way I walk gives me back ache.

Keep your head up and keep improving.

Brenda x