Hip replacement

I swelled up for 12 weeks and was told to put my legs up 3 times a day with feet higher than heart. I bought the digital leg compressor massager rather like what they put out on lower legs in hospital. Proved a godsend.  Don't stand up,without moving I.e., don't stand still.  But I believe rest is more important than all the exercise as you can overdo it according to many posts on this site. 

Try raising you lower leg and plenty of frozen peas.....it does go down eventually....keep up your exercises too!! 

Davyboyok,

 The swelling is common. Just make sure you drink lots of water, continue to ice your hip, elevate the leg and do your exercises. The swelling should go down soon. Bruising on the foot is also common because of the way they use it to move the leg during surgery. My swelling was gone at 2 1/2 wks. I am 11 wks post THR

and feel great. Still some pain when getting up, but that's about it. Just don't over

do it.

Hang in there.

Kathee

Very early days. My legs and feet were swollen for weeks, thought they would never go down but they have. Advice here from those who know plus exercise and patience will do it

Hi davyboyok 

I'm 8 wks post op an im having alot of pressure and pain an swelling on my knee surgeon said this could happen up to 6mths after hip replacement 😞

Remember ice & elevation & ur swelling will go down 

Hello

when i had my hip operation in April,my knee on the same leg was quite painfully. I thought it was due to operation...swelling and pain in knee lasted about 4 weeks pent of ice and resting it helped loads and now knee is fine. I also use bio oil once stitches came out on scar

..amazing stuff

exercising is important but remember to rest plenty as well

good luck in your recovery

After my first THR 7 years ago, no one told me to elevate the leg, so my leg swelled down to the toes and I ended up haveing to have an ultrasound to make sure there was no DVT.  The problem was sorted that time with drugs, elevated leg and exercise.

I had my second THR (other leg) on 5 Nov, so am now 6 weeks post op.  My leg started to swell a little and I realised that I had done a lot less exercise the previous day (my pedometer allows me to measure my daily steps), so I made sure I did a little more exercise and the swelling went back down.

Keep up a sensible level of exercise, rest with your legs elevated and I'm sure the issue will be resolved.  (Did your hospital give you DVT drugs?)

Hi davyboyok

I think most of us have had swelling.  Mine lasted for at least 4 weeks.  As I've said many times on here, if I'd been on my feet too long, my toes felt as if they would explode!  No-one, at hospital, told me to wear an elastic stocking, but it was suggested on this forum and really did help! As others have said, you also need to put your feet up every now and again plus exercise.  I'm convinced the short walks helped the most.  My swelling was such that it was an effort to go for a short walk, most days, but I forced myself, as my physio said it would help to move the fluid.  My leg was rarely swollen very much when I first got out of bed but built up during the day.

The good news is that I'm now 17/18 weeks post op and feel like a new woman! No mobility problems!  Feel able to cope with taking short walks with my lively 3 year old grandson too!! However, I still have some discomfort some days but realise I've overdone it the day before and it soon passes. I'm now accepting that total recovery is likely to take a good 6 months, at least! My family say I've been a terrible patient because I've often tried to run before I could walk. So take it steady! Good luck with your recovery!!

Pat

Swelling is pretty normal.  Keep your doctor informed and elevation and ice are your best friends during this period post op.   Not having any problems at the site of your incision is great.  Hang on, it can be a bumpy road but you will heal.

Take care,

Dawn