1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Severe dark bruising

Posted , 10 users are following.

YoMike
YoMike

Hi all Hippies,

I'm day 7 of my LTHR and I had a RTHR one year ago.

Today I got a good look at the back of my operated thigh and the bruise is almost the entire back of my thigh and what's concerning me is the color. It's black, not purple...but black. The front of my leg has no discoloration at all.

I have a stocking up to my knee and it's stopped the swelling at that point, so all the swelling and bruising is waist to knee. Also I've been sleeping with my feet propped up on pillows and on my back. So it's all probably pooled in the hamstring area. But in all my life I've never had a bruise this dark...anybody have a similar experience?

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

Next
  • RichardKen
    RichardKen YoMike

    Posted

    Dear Mike

    Golly that must be quite a sight! Are you by any chance on blood thinning tablets by any chance?

    I was very badly bruised with my revision compared to my primary twenty years ago and suspect the blood thinning tablets may be the reason.

    Good luck with your recovery.

    Cheers Richard

  • YoMike
    YoMike

    Posted

    Yeah, I am on blood thinners, and in a better light it is a dark purple not black. But it's scary to see.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen YoMike

      Posted

      Dear Mike

      I wonder how painful are the bruises. Mine were very tender whereas twenty years ago No issues.

      Cheers Richard

    • YoMike
      YoMike RichardKen

      Posted

      Yes, they are tender like yours...it must be the blood thinners as you say. My surgery last year I had bruising, but this time it's even worse. 20 years ago I guess they were not as concerned about blood clots?

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen YoMike

      Posted

      Dear Mike

      Interesting observations. I honestly do nit recall what precautions were in place to reduce the possibility of blood clots.

      Cheers Richard

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo YoMike

    Posted

    The last time I had bruising that was blacky/purple was after hacking for 2 days, it went from just above my knees front and back to just below my belly button, to say it scared me was an understatement, I was at the DR's at 8 the next morning, and i wasn't on any blood thinners or any other drugs, all my Dr said was WOW can I take a picture LOL was about 34 years ago, it took weeks to go down.

    Try not to worry, if yoy hadn't seen it you wouldn't have bothered, was yours anterior

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo YoMike

    Posted

    Just had a look on line, some are horrific, but all normal it says
    • YoMike
      YoMike AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Thanks for the feedback, I had a posterior...I'm not sure I want to look at other pictures, but it's good to know that it's not a sign of something gone wrong. smile

    • AlexandriaGizmo
      AlexandriaGizmo YoMike

      Posted

      I wouldn't imagine its unusual, if your worried you can always call 111 and ask the question.

      Ice and raising it might help, not heat.

  • jean95000
    jean95000 YoMike

    Posted

    Hi I'm with you here 7 days tomorrow since my op I have bruising and it's tender to sit on.....they said it is normal they took the stockings off just before I was discharged after 2 days I am on blood thinners for a month are you in uk?

     

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen jean95000

      Posted

      Dear Jean

      I'm six weeks post surgery and have just stopped wearing the stockings as I felt that I was at risk if blood clots until I was doing a fair bit of walking and really did not want to risk problems.

      Cheers Richard

  • sara98902
    sara98902 YoMike

    Posted

    Hi Mike,

    im also just over a week post operation and have a huge dark purple bruise at the back of my kneee and swelling from knee to waist.  I think the bruise is pretty normal.  I actually have felt it more as the swelling is going down.  I'm also sleeping with my feet propped up on pillows and this has helped. My physio told me to massage up the leg to help with the swelling too.  I'm taking arnica tablets too to help the bruise heal faster.  

    Sara

  • renee01952
    renee01952 YoMike

    Posted

    hi mike, 

    checking in with you here ...

    great responses from fellow hippies here ... 

    I also had bruise in the form of a handprint on back of thigh  after 1st THR and was told that this was caused due to the force used to manipulate my leg to dislocate the joint ... it was not painful, just interesting and scary looking (some big hand too)\with 2nd THR I asked my surgeon right before surgery if he perk=haps could handle me with more care ... I think he did because no bruises this time ..

    that and blood thinners make for easy visible bruising ...

    take care and when worried, see your doctor ...

    how are you doing otherwise ... oh, another thing I was told not to compare the 2 surgeries either ... they were right - it is different 

    big warm hug

    renee

  • john56733
    john56733 YoMike

    Posted

    The doctor must have given you meds to bring the blood to the surface.  They do this to help prevent blood clots.  It is normal.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.