Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello all,
OK - this time last week I was in the operating theatre. All well, although I am still suffering really badly with swollen leg and ankle. I know I was told to expect this probably, but I want to do everything correctly, and still feel that I cannot do my exercises properly. Even moving my feet and ankles is arduous !so bad that a couple of nights ago I decided to stay in bed and elevate the leg, ice not really making any difference (?) and get up on the hour every hour (more or less) to walk for exercise. this morning it is not quite as bad but still making life difficult. I have just been to my local Medical Centre to have the dressing changed, and all is good there. Am I simply being too impatient, as it is only one week ?
The leg feels like a dead weight and am using my trousers to help me lift it up on the bed etc but worried that this will go on for long enough and hold me back, I am trying not to be impatient - as I am aware this is not an overnight problem, but just wondered if there is anything else I can do to help the swelling? 😃
Thank you
0 likes, 14 replies
linda09720 helen40134
Posted
Hi Helen
l had my left hip done 14 months ago, l used Bio oil on thd scar and swelling seemed yo help me., a week is early days l wouldn't worry too much , it is scarey wondering if all ok, l did the same as you used my trousers to help myself up my legs were swollen for a while, then all of a sudden ok again, my scar was very sore, sure you will be ok a week is no time although it will feel ages to you, we all seem to be impatient things get better just take care x
helen40134 linda09720
Posted
Thank you Linda - think maybe a tad too early to worry then, I was concerned though re DVT as foot and ankle can hardly move. I will continue doing what I am currently doing re elevation etc and hopefully it will subside somewhat. 😃
linda09720 helen40134
Posted
yes hood idea l think will all worry, l thought l wouldnt be able to go without sticks then all of a sudden it just seems to happen, take care this site is great helped me with things that worried me.
xxx
Cyberman82 helen40134
Posted
My TLHR was 9 May this year. I am 6 weeks and doing great (am only 51). I would try to keep the leg raised as much as you can and keep wearing the TED stockings. Keep moving the foot as much as you can even little movements. I think the swelling will take a little while to go down. My advice also to keep on top of pain relief and try to move as much as you can but don't overdo it. The first couple of weeks may be slow progress but should probably improve after that.
helen40134 Cyberman82
Posted
Hi Andrew - I will do - thank you 😃
julie1717 helen40134
Posted
hi I had the same thing but suddenly abt week 2 things just started improving. I can easily now lift both legs into bed un aided both legs swelling gone down dramatically. as for your exercises do them but only as many as you are able. I went from only doing 3 of each up to day 8 then suddenly able to do 5 of each which I did for another4 days and by day 18 post op was up to 10 x 3 times a day. over the next few days as it's getting easier 3ach time I'll do 4 x a day till I'm at the 5x a day that myhospital advises max to do.
I think some of this is compared to pre OP where we were in so much pain we think our bodies can do what we used to do but our muscles have to re learn to do stuff.
keep on your getting there. I'm keeping a diary so I can compare week to week etc and I'm finding that really helpful to me.
helen40134 julie1717
Posted
Hi Julie - what a good idea the diary is! your comment re pre op is so true. I have myself thought about that only today before I saw your answer.
I keep forgetting what my body has been through !
Thank you for coming back to me 😃
julie1717 helen40134
Posted
hi helen. that's ok I'm a natural note taker lol but always find times like this it's good to keep notes ( retired nurse so that makes me worse lol ) but it's been gt even so far to see how much better I've become In hard data.
ptolemy helen40134
Posted
I had a special bit of material given me by the hospital to lift my leg into bed. I used it when I got home and then found one day I could get into bed without it. The next day I needed it again and then slowly I dispensed with it. Just give it time.
jen86183 helen40134
Posted
Hi Helen,
As you say you are only one week post op from having you hip/thigh bone sawn through, drilled, an implant put in then being sewn up. It is understandable you have swelling and it may last for a few weeks.
It was a week before I could start to lift my leg by itself, it got slowly better day by day. You are not in a race, there are no medals for rushing recovery, take it easy, after about a month things seem to move faster.
Take care of your new hip.
helen40134 jen86183
Posted
Hi Jen,
Yes I think I am concentrating too much on the importance of the exercises, whilst important I guess I am not at the stage where I can safely do them. Thank you
Pinkpink61 helen40134
Posted
Hi Helen, I was the same & felt that I was getting nowhere! I wasn't expecting the amount if swelling I had so was worried something was wrong but it started going down by week 3, however i am now week 8 & do still have some degree of swelling but im virtually pain free & moving as normal. It will get better, hang on in there!
tara00003 helen40134
Posted
had the same problem. I will be three weeks post on wed and just now see the swelling go down and can finally wear shoes:). I bought on Amazon calf compression massager and not sure if it helped but def fells great. It will get better;)
Tara
helen40134 tara00003
Posted
Thank you Tara for your comments 😃
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