Hip Replacement Blister.

Hi Dallasjody,  Not everyone has problems with swelling of the legs.  I've recently had a revision of my right THR and my knee and lower leg were swollen for about 2 weeks after the operation - this didn't affect my shoes.  During the operation the surgeon has to put your leg into all sorts of very unnatural positions whilst he's operating and they have to clamp your leg around the knee and ankle which causes the swelling and sometimes some bruising in these areas.  It's not usually something to worry about.  Try not  to worry about what COULD happen but take each step as it comes.  You are most likely to sail through it all without any problems. Do your post-op exercises religiously, listen to your body, take painkillers if you need them and above all don't worry.  Ask questions and do as you are told!

I wish you well.  Just think, in a few days' time you will be out of pain and looking forward to dancing again!!!

Take care and all the very best.  Keep in touch with us all for support and encouragement.

Stella

Hi Stella,

Thank you for all your encouragement, but I'm still dreading the day.  Why did you have to have a revision?  Something went wrong and the had to cut you open again to repair it?  You had to go through post-op again and a hospital stay again?  This all sounds awful, I lay in bed thinking about having a fake piece of bone in my body and can't sleep.  I called the ortho group and left several mesages about what happens but got no calls back.  Online, this big ortho group sounds caring and wonderful, in real life I'm not sure.  I didn't get ANY pre-op videos or classes to know what happens. Did you get that?  This is a BIG surgery to me, how can you take it so easily?  I just show up in a few weeks and they start sawing my bone off on New Year's Eve?  Worried sick and can't even go home for Christmas...

But thanks Stella, you sound very positive.

We all heal at a different pace, I didn't have to wear stockings either although I do wear support knee highs when I go out as they help. Exercise, but don't overdo it,  patience and pain relief initially all help. Hope it goes smoothly and well for you. As it does for most of us! :

It's a few years since I had my hip replacement ( I've recently had a total knee replacement) but I still remember the recovery period and honestly it was no big deal, I didn't have to wear the dreaded stockings, I had virtually no pain and I did my excercises with no problems. It changed my life completely from painfully hobbling around with a stick to feeling completely normal.... I honestly don't feel my artificial hip at all so try not to worry it can all be a very positive experience 

I also am having aa THR  soon. Having had 3 knee replacements and a shoulder replacement I remain amazed that no one ever tells you what to expect post operativly . That is why I came here when I knew I had to have my THR . I guess people vary greatly in their post op course and they don't want to scare you. I knew nothing about swelling & discoloration or post op complications but after awhile you realize that not everybody has these complications anyway. Just keep reading and listen about staying ahead of the pain and letting your body tell you when to limit your exercise; these things have been true in all my joint replacements.

Try to focus on good results, you know your doc wouldn't have put you through it if it wasn't necessary.

good luck and Merry Christmas.

Hi again.  I had a revision of my right hip because it totally collapsed. This was after 20 years so it had had a good life.  So far the left one is fine.  It was a bigger operation than the original one and it's taken me longer to get over it but I'm doing really well - walking without a stick and going to the gym 3 x a week for muscle rebuilding and also doing exercises in the pool.  I didn't have any pre-op classes or videos at the hospital I went to (on either occasion) but as a medical secretary I had a good idea what they were going to do to me! 

Yes, it is big surgery but you will feel soooooooooo much better afterwards.  Just do everything they tell you and you will be find.

Hope you can enjoy Christmas and look forward to a positive outcome in the new year. We'll all be thinking of you.

Stella x

Excellent advice from Stella!

FWIW I never had any swelling at all.

It seems to me that everybody who had sweeling are all from the UK, I had mine done in France. I mean like NO swelling even around the incision, but in France they keep you in the hospital longer (a week) and also put in a drain. In the UK they do not seem to use drains and they sure get you out of the hospital quicker than the French. After reading so many comments here I do htink the sweeling is because of the way the UK Doctors do the surgery.

I got a shot in the stomach every day for a month and the physical therapist came 3x a week and deep massaged my leg, so I didn't wear those stockings. I came out okay. I think the big thing is if you get verticle and move as well as getting that stomach shot. Which the needles are SO much better than when I was younger, now when they give you a shor the needles are sharper or something and the shots don't hurt at all. Not like the olden days, LOL!

Hi Jodi, I had drains in my thighs when I had my first hip replacements so this time I was expecting them again but they don't do it anymore.  Maybe that was why I didn't have any swelling the first time?   it wasn't very pleasant having the drains removed though!  I had the injections in the stomach every day this time (last time had the gorgeous white stockings!) and this time I was only in hospital 4 days but 7 days last time.  it's surprising how things change in 20 years!

Happy Christmas!

Sx