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Hi, had total right hip replacement 7 days ago.

Posted , 10 users are following.

alison17198
alison17198

Both feet ankles and knees get tight and heavy as evening goes on. Is this normal?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jen86183
    jen86183 alison17198

    Posted

    Hi Alison,

    You are only 7 days post op therefore you will feel tight, heavy and maybe have swelling. It will settle, you have a lot of healing to do after a big operation.

    My tightness is just easing off after 15 weeks. You may find the more you do the more uncomfortable your thigh, groin, leg feels but it will get better in a few weeks. Take it slowly, it is not a race, there are no medals for throwing your walking aids away too quickly.

  • denise79180
    denise79180 alison17198

    Posted

    Hi. Did you get exercises to do.? The lying on the bed and pushing knees down into yr mattress helps with the tight knee. I also put a heat pad on my knee. Also if you have someone at home get them to massage yr leg muscles gently. This helped me greatly. 
    • alison17198
      alison17198 denise79180

      Posted

      Hi there,

      Many thanks. I realise now I need to be a good patient, and be patient!

  • jimbone
    jimbone alison17198

    Posted

    Allison-

    Few escape swelling after this procedure.  Take the medications they gave/prescribed for pain. Stay ahead of the pain.  Elevate your legs.  Either with a pillow/roll under your knees or  even better so that your toes are above your heart- in both cases use ice/cold to reduce swelling.  Elevation and ice will be the best solution to swelling.  A good ice pack can be made at home- take a face cloth, wet it and wring it out.  Put it in a zip lock plastic bag and then into the freezer. It will freeze quickly, it is thin and will mold to the shape of your body/swelling, it will last about 10-15 minutes which is a good time for icing.  It will also re-freeze quickly.  Best of luck

    • AlexandriaGizmo
      AlexandriaGizmo jimbone

      Posted

      I thank you for that tip, I wish I had known it when I was having to use ice so often,
    • judith12644
      judith12644 jimbone

      Posted

      I like that face cloth idea. If I ever need surgery on my other hip, I’ll be  freezing face cloths! Thanks Jimbone. 

      And Allison, it will gradually get better. Take your meds, do your exercises, take it steadily.

      Good luck.

    • alison17198
      alison17198 judith12644

      Posted

      Hi Judith,

      In 2nd week post-op now. (Right hip). Foot still tightening up, plus knee swelling slightly. Just on Anticoagulant tablets now for while, plus Ted stockings of course. Take Ibuprofen for feet. Start physio early August which should help hopefully.

  • Yabut
    Yabut alison17198

    Posted

    Yes. Completely normal. As other said elevate, ice often and rest.

    My knee was very tight after my op. Felt like a tight band was across it. I was told it was from inflammation.

    This op's recovery seems 2 steps forward 3 steps back. But at 3 months post-op it is more forward than back.

    Hang in there! Better days ahead!?

    • alison17198
      alison17198 Yabut

      Posted

      Thank you. I look forward to better days ahead!
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK alison17198

    Posted

    Early days yet I'm afraid, 'Concrete Leg' gets better with time as your muscles build in strength.

    Everything about this recovery takes longer than we expect, just be patient, do what the physios tell you and don't overdo it.

    Best wishes, Graham

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