Some help and advice required..

I had no blood from my incision at all when I was home. If I were you, I wouldn't do any exercising this early, but just do what you must do to get around from bed to bath to table and back. Checking with your doctor about the bleeding would be a good idea!

I had a lot of swelling in my thigh/knee/hip area, and I think that is normal.

Yes, in the beginning those exercises were very difficult. Be patient with yourself. I do nit know about the bleeding. I had a huge lump almost shelflike that I was told was blood. It took 2 months to go away. I would surely ask your Dr. About the blood and the knee pain.. I would not hesitate to check, that's what he is there for, and he needs to know how you are feeling.

I can't say what "normal" is, since we each have our own unique experiences. I had a bit of blood after week one, lost the padded bandage and was told to just let it "air heal" no bandage at all. Just to not bathe, shower and avoid getting incision wet, only a washcloth and let water drip on the incision, never rubbing.The nurse should be able to tell you about what is too much blood. She didn't seem concerned, but if you have a large amount, I'd go back for a check.

I was on morphine ER and Oxycodone for the first week. ( I have no memory ) My pain has been controlled with opiates for 12 weeks. I just stopped last week. 

You'll be sore. That's for sure... I'm still sore. It still sometimes keeps me up at night finding a good position. The sofa, with a pillow where the cushions meet, is where I set up camp. My TV, my laptop, my.. well, everything. Being in bed seemed to make me feel like some invalid. ( also the Big TV is where sofa is and Netflix )

I've burned up Netflix, that's for sure. 

I can't help with the swelling. I didn't have any. I wore compression stockings all the way from ankle to thigh for 6 weeks. I'm sure someone on the forum will be able to help with that question.

My only advice is to stick with PT and don't slack, it's the most important thing you can do to get back to normal. 

Also, don't apologize for asking a question LOL, that's exactly what we are here for, to help each other and offer support. 

I found all the home exercises to be hard, but you'll see improvements in just weeks. I'm still going to outpatient PT. 

Hi Worriedgirl!

Everything you are describing was the same as me for the first few weeks. Those side exercises are the hardest but don't strain yourself. 

Talk to your doc about your incision. I had no drainage myself. They used a medical glue on me that kept the skin from opening and put little strips over top of that. It took maybe about a month before all the little strips fell off.

But take your time and don't overdo it. Rest when you need to and know this isn't a race. You'll get there in due time. I'm 11 months out and I can say that it's wonderful not to have OA pain!

Good luck to you!

Ask away my Dear!  Yes the exercises you describe were difficult to do at first but will improve over time, sooner than you realize.  No, there should not be any blood coming out of your wound a week post op. I would make some noise over that.  Nothing should be leaking.  That is a perfect set up for infection to enter.  The swelling in the thigh and knee is normal. Ice and prop it up a little higher than your head. If it swells up huge, as in skin is being pulled so tight it feels like it will burst,and all you can do is cry from the pain, go for help. But as long as the ice and incline helps, it is normal.

Hang in there, really your worst is over, the surgery itself. Each day is one day closer to getting back to normal.  And please ask all the questions you need to.  We are here for you!

Hugs

Dawn, USA

Hi Worried,

I am a week ahead of you on hip number two. Both surgeries were very tough in the first two weeks, the second week almost being worse than the first. My wound leaked for nearly 10 days but the scar wasn't red or inflamed.

I went back to the dressings clinic twice and in the end asked for my own dressings so I could re-do it myself when it 'filled' up. 

I have no swelling this time but the first time my knee looked like a balloon and I had bruising all the way to my ankle.

The only exercise I do at the moment is walking and will do this until I feel I can do more. I still use an ice pack for an hour in the afternoon and take ibufprofen alongside the major painkillers.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that I have taken control of my own healing. Support and advice is there but you have to hobble off and find it 

pee ess it's 6am and my scar is itching like it's got ants in it - I am trying to stop myself from giving it a good seeing to!!!

 

Hey Natalie hunni

I am round about the same time as you post op. Did you say you had staples? This may be the cause of the leakage. I had dissolvable stiches which l cant see at aĺl. The day l got out of hospital they changed my dressing and there was a tiny bit of blood leakage but nurse said it was fine put a new dressing on. I was given 2 new dressings away which l have to chþange myself....or get my hubby to do it every 4 days.. i have done one already and it looked like my scar was ready to be aired. No leakage. But l think with ù they are more harsh on your skin and you do get leakage. I am findind this time its harder than 1st THR to do physio l am more sore around my bum where as 1st one in dec l did not feel half as sorr. And yeah the back if my knee totally bruised up an my thigh just felt really sore just above my knee both times but this is normal its where the femur bone is connecting to the hip reolacement joint and it does go as far down as the top of your knee. Hope you are doing ok love xx

I had a fair bit of leakage from my first operation for the first 2 weeks - but it does vary, I had hardley any leakage on the second operation.  I could feel the staples more on that first wound more too.

I found narrow seats aggravated my scar area - much the same as having a dressing with less padding would.

Swelling - yep, for 3-4 weeks first time. Again second time, none.

Best wishes

Graham

Hi worriedgirl29

I am now 3 weeks since op and although I didn't have any leakage my leg was swollen from thigh to ankle! Exercises were very very difficult as my leg felt like a big lump of dead wood and so I decided to concentrate on the ones I could do and on taking small walks. Every day for first 2 weeks I had a couple of hours in afternoon reclining with feet up. This week the swelling has gone down and leg is almost back to normal size and I am now able to do exercises- still hard but at least I feel I can move my leg!

You'll have good days and not so good days- just listen to your body and do what you feel is manageable. If you're worried about blood phone nurse or doctor - that's what they're there for!!

Ah worried girl....I remember just how you feel, it will get better and quickly too.

I didn't have blood as I too had dissolvable stitches, but do get it checked out if you are at all worried. The first weeks are demanding and you may need extra checks and care, your GP will expect this, I called for a few things and they were great. 

I actually thought my knee and thigh had been damaged in surgery, it was more painful than my hip at one point, this is all very normal, unfortunately the whole leg suffers because the surgery is so intense. It will ease off, try and elevate and ice if you can. It should go in a few days.

The swelling will be there for many more months yet, but will gradually go down.

As for the exercises, I did most of mine in bed, and the rest while I was going to the loo! It is hard work for the first few weeks. Just do what you can. It is not going to make the slightest difference to your recovery this early on, just keep your legs moving in bed, and try to do as many as you can when you are comfortable. 

I used to sit on the chair with a feathery bed pillow, and this was much better. Try to pad out the seating so you are sitting on soft pillows and cushion and also at an angle, so you are cushioning your wound.

You are very early days, things will get so much better I promise. We are all here to help you through this, so just fire away questions you have x