Leg swelling and leg pain

I am 4 weeks now and I still have localised swelling. For the first two weeks the pain was immense around the swelling, and the groin and the thigh in general. It has become gradually less and now it's just on the remaining swelling. But it does get very acute in the afternoons. I'm learning however that everyone is different. I wanted to be pain free by 2 weeks and it wasn't to be! My GP wrote me a 2 month prescription for anti inflammatrories so she is used to see post THR pain continuing some time...

Sending love and healing vibes. X

Hi Stuart

Mine lasted a good 2 weeks. I couldn't understand initially why I couldn't bend my leg for bed exercises but obv it was the swelling. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Combined exercises out of bed, in bed and lying down periodically helped it go. It does go. Mine was major discomfort, not quite pain but I took pain relief and anti-inflammatories.

Don't give up, you will get there soon and although now it seems forever for you it won't when you look back. I am now 4+ weeks post-op and now can barely remember the time it took for the swelling to go but then it seemed eternal.

Stay strong.

Best wishes for this initial time to pass.

Hi Stuart, I was very swollen, knee (particularly behind my knee) down to a very swollen and quite painful foot. I was worried at two weeks but it started to get better once I got more mobile. my physio told me swelling is perfectly normal possibly for months. Groin pain is also normal but do talk to your physio and get some reassurance. Good luck and well done so far!!! xx

Hi Stuart. Congrats on being on the "other side"!! I'm 8 weeks post op today. I had similar swelling to below my knee my first couple weeks. It got better with ice, elevation & movement. I also had groin pain mostly from using the muscles differently post op. It all went away eventually. Best advice is (1) listen to your body and don't overdue especially in the early days & (2) listen to your physical therapist & doc. Mine was a god send!

Hi Stuart, as the others have said, the swelling is perfectly normal. I had it for about 3 weeks I think. Keep on taking all your hospital prescribed pain meds. Do your exercises, but don't overdo it, and rest with your leg up, with something cold on the swollen bits...

It does get better gradually, all the best, Judith

hi stuart, 

warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum where we share personal stories and experiences ... 

Swelling and warmth around the scar are common after a hip replacement.

Mine started at groin and went down to ankle and was uncomfortable fro weeks. However, this represents the normal process of healing and can last for several weeks to sometimes  even months .

Elevating your leg and icing might help.

You just had major invasive surgery where tissues were cut, handled and pulled around and can make fluid build up in the hours afterwards. This can stay or ebb and flow for days and even a couple of weeks. 

Also increased blood and lymph flow; healing happens because there is increased circulation bringing plentiful blood cells, plasma and lymph into the area to supply nutrition and oxygen - all needed for the creation of scar and normal tissue.

Good to know that the docs are happy with the scan  --- 

How are you doing otherwise? We are with many here and happy to answer all your questions and concerns ..Come here anytime, okay..

big warm hug

renee