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Severe knee and thigh swelling following THA

Posted , 11 users are following.

catherine12084
catherine12084

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum but figured I needed to start speaking to people that have gone through the same surgery as me as I'm finding online info rather conflicting.

I am 9 days out following a complex, THA. The surgery had major complications and I was very unwell post-operatively. As a result, the majority of my entire, operated leg is now numb, coupled with severe swelling to the thigh and knee. I was being investigated in the hospital for compartment syndrome as the swelling was so severe but this was ruled out by day 4.

My question is, has anyone else experienced 'Severe swelling and if so, how long did it take to get under control? I've ordered a sports I've pack online as the frozen stuff doesn't appear to be wrapping around my leg properly. I'm also gently mobilising with my frame around the house at regular intervals. I'm trying my best to do the exercises but these can only really be performed on the bed and again, it's a real struggle to do/if not impossible with a very heavy, numb leg.

I'm totally at my wits end as I was kind of shoved out if the door of my hospital on the day of discharge with no proper information, particularly regarding the above. The next time I'm due to see a health professional is a PT assessment on the 4th April.

Thanks in advance

Car

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • linda15520
    linda15520 catherine12084

    Posted

    Yes my hip replacement is 4 weeks down and only last 4 days ive a normal leg as of swelling ... my whole leg knee calf and ankle was like 3 times the size....as of numb my thigh is totally numb ... and to be honest after my first hip replacements 20 yrs ago ... I still had less feeling in my thigh all along.
    • catherine12084
      catherine12084 linda15520

      Posted

      Thanks Linda, I really appreciate your response. I know there is nothing sinister with the swelling as I have no symptoms of DVT or the clinical appearence of compartment syndrome. However, it is hindering my mobility and ability to exercise. I'm trying gentle exercises but I'm paranoid of pushing it too far and tearing something.

      I suspected the numbness would never completely eradicate as I've had previous surgeries before and the entire feeling has never fully returned (I'm often left with altered feeling). With it being the majority of my leg, I'm understandably apprehensive as I can't imagine living a life where I can't feel my leg again. I guess I just have to be patient and wait it out x

  • lynne56429
    lynne56429 catherine12084

    Posted

    The numbness can be a complication from anterior thigh nerve being cut during surgery- this may or may not be permanent. The nerve if severed may grow back. Mine was numb, still is somewhat (since initial surgery 7/3, with 3 more since then), was yours an anterior approach? I know you won’t believe me, but you get used to the numbness. But the swelling is another issue, and more concerning. Is it localized? Or is the entire thigh from upper to above knee swollen? Is it a seroma, a localized fluid filled swelling?  Did you have labs done following surgery?  (Sed Rate or/and C-Reactive Protein) Anytime you have severe pain, don’t do the exercises, and ice, ice, ice. Take any pain meds given- don’t be afraid of them at this juncture. Research anti-inflammatory concoctions- Tumeric/pepper/cinnamon/cider vinegar, use anti-inflammatiries, like Aleve,indomethacin etc. if your pain continues to be severe call to see if you can see your surgeon before your planned date. I’m sorry you are having so many issues. Be persistent, many of us have not had the ‘typical’ THR. There is hope, just be your own advocate. ❤️❤️
    • catherine12084
      catherine12084 lynne56429

      Posted

      I was on daily, full bloods whilst I was in hospital and I'm assuming, they would have ran all those tests whilst I was in there.

      In terms of approach, my scar is on the side of my hip (is that anterior?).

      I always make sure I'm up to date with my pain meds and anti-inflammatories. I would not be able to function without them, particularly as I'm getting a lot of stinging/prickly sensation down my operated leg (could this be the nerve waking up?).

      Thanks Lynn xxx

    • catherine12084
      catherine12084

      Posted

      Oh and I forgot to mention. The surgeon stated he had to stretch my nerve when doing the replacement (among other things) in order of stabilising the hip. He said it was understandable but I could be looking at up to two years.

      I would never normally complain but I was hesitant to go through with the procedure in the first place as I am so young and I manage well in hot weather (I was 39 in Jan). However, I was promised that it would improve my quality of life. I know it's early days, but I never expected to have such a lengthening on the operated leg or to be fully numb. These facts were never fully explained during my consultations or when I was consented x

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy catherine12084

    Posted

    Swelling is quite normal. Apparently we even put on weight because of it! What type of approach did you have, posterior or anterior? Anterior does tend to have more problems with nerve damage than posterior. 
    • catherine12084
      catherine12084

      Posted

      Also, I did not have a conventional joint put in as it wouldn't sit well in my pelvis (I was born with dysplasia and as a result, my abnormal ball and socket fused to my pelvis). I have had limited movement in the joint for over 15 years x

  • chris13920
    chris13920 catherine12084

    Posted

    Gosh Catherine, It sounds awful. I am sorry. I have quite a lot of numbness on g even 10 weeks out. IT takes a long time. I am not sure what the swelling might be. Have they checked your potassium and other mineral levels? I know potassium regulates water retention. If you can, ask your doctor to check these things out. 

    I wish I had some more advice. Please let us know how it goes. 

    Yours,

    Chris

    • catherine12084
      catherine12084 chris13920

      Posted

      No, thank you Chris for the advice you have given. Anything is helpful at this point. I can only assume they have checked my potassium levels as I was having daily bloods up until the day of discharge and I know U&Es are a bog standard test.

      Cat x

  • brenda67955
    brenda67955 catherine12084

    Posted

    I am 8 weeks out and one leg is very swollen and painful. My knee is in a lot of pain but enough to take more than tylenol. Knees were replaced 20 yrs ago. Xrays showed they are tight and in great shape. It may take another 2-3 mos for the knee to "settle in" and my walk returning to its normal gait. Then i should be in the clear

    • catherine12084
      catherine12084 brenda67955

      Posted

      That sounds positive, Brenda. I guess it's knowing what would be considered 'normal in contrast to your previous condition, condition if your joint, and your biological makeup. I believe the elderly do not tend to experience much swelling post operatively due to their age and changes in physiology. I could be wrong...it was something I read xx

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK catherine12084

    Posted

    Catherine, plenty of rest, elevation and ice should help with the swelling. The bones and soft tissues in your leg have gone through a necessarily traumatic experience with the surgery, and my suggestion to you is to only move around as necessary to get to bathroom and meals, and otherwise to REST with your leg up. At only 9 days post-op, there is lots of healing going on at the cellular level and otherwise, and you don't need to concern yourself with strengthening or any other exercises when basic healing is still going on, especially when faced with such severe swelling as you are having. Swelling is a necessary part of healing. My intermediate swelling completely stopped at around 4 weeks. 

    Good luck with your recovery!

  • catherine12084
    catherine12084

    Posted

    Thanks, Annie. I was paranoid about the amount of moving around I was trying to do as common sense tells me that RICE is the way forward. However, I was told prior to discharge to get up every hour and move around. It's so uncomfortable, particularly when you feel like your leg has been replaced with a tree trunk...ha ha x

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK catherine12084

      Posted

      I remember that feeling well! I found in the first weeks that I had to get up fairly often to use the bathroom. And I went to the dining room table a couple of times per day. I also got dressed, did some sponge bathing. All of that was plenty of activity. I didn't force myself to get up just because it had been an hour since my last foray. You had major surgery with major complexities. A few weeks of lots of rest will help, and too much activity may actually delay recovery.

    • catherine12084
      catherine12084 AnnieK

      Posted

      That makes absolute sense. They say little and often but when you're engaging in your ADLs (washing, dressing, mobilising to the bathroom and dining area), you are in fact doing much more than just a gentle walk every hour. As you said, my leg swells more after activity and given that I can't feel my leg at the moment, I really don't want to tear anything.

      Oh and I think my leg is starting to level out 😊. I'm having to wear a platform trainer on my non-operated foot and a flat slipper on the other due to the deficit (I'm awaiting a raised shoe from orthotics). The deficit was so severe that I also had to put my old heel raise in the shoe to even me out (the raise I used to wear on my operated leg). I actually forgot to put the insole in my shoe before and as I was walking, the leg starting to feel opetated leg startdd to feel uneven again (like before). I initially thought I was not straightening my knee but low and behold, it felt shorter. I only noticed I did not have the added heel raise in the shoe when I came to take the shoe off.

      Fingers crossed that will be one less problem to think about 😊

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