Some help and advice required..

Posted , 15 users are following.

Hi all,

I am now officially 1 week post op.

I got home on Sunday and have been managing ok, better than I thought, although struggling with some of the exercises. The standing ones where you put your leg out to side and also behind you and the one on the bed with the leg to the side. Finding them tough? Did any of you have the same?

I went to the nurse today to get my dressing changed and wound checked..

There had been lots of blood on my dressing. She said there seemed like there was a bit of a leak in the middle but hopefully it should stop.

Since I've got home, I've been getting terrible pain from my wound area. There is still some blood coming through? Is this right after a week?

Also the dressing she put on was much thinner with less padding than my original one which is causing me to feel the staples and it's really sore to sit down? Did any of you have this?

I have also been feeling that my thigh and knee on operated side is really swollen and painful. Again is this normal?

Sorry for so many questions? Just a bit apprehensive and worried about it all..

Thanks for your help/advice in advance X

5 likes, 18 replies

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  • Posted

    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.

  • Posted

    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.
  • Posted

    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. 

  • Posted

    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!

  • Posted

    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

  • Posted

    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 frown

    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!!!

     

    • Posted

      Hi Kate ~ how are you feeling today?

      Taking control of your own healing is the best way Kate, because we know what we can do and what we are ready for (or not as the case may be) Once I had decided on this route, I felt relieved to make my own way. It has been a source of comfort not feeling pushed or obliged to meet any kind of expectation. It is sound advice to say do what is comfortable and in your own time. I hope you are feeling okay hun x

    • Posted

      Hi Rose, I think it is very like childbirth, or anything you face for the second time. I am much more confident this time. I am not worrying about every little thing and letting my body do it's most amazing healing thing all by itself.

      This time two weeks ago I was just packing to go into hospital. I could barely walk to the car without ghastly pain and couldn't stand or sit for any length of time.

      Two weeks on and I am walking down the road with crutches. I have itches, bruises, a sore bum and scar and a burny foot but it's all normal and I am feeling great. 

      How about you, Rose?

       

    • Posted

      Your message made me smile so much!!

      Burny foot, why is your foot burny? Just had to ask!! smile

      You are so right, we know the score second time around, although memory is kind to the past, and I have already slightly rose tinted memories of my early days now which I know can't be completely accurate smile smile 

      You are doing SO well chicken, walking around and sounding fabulous and really on good form. I am so happy for you ~ you have been such an angel to so many people on here, me included. 

      I am good, always pushing my luck I got myself stranded yesterday, but apart from that doing great. Cycling, walking the dogs, geting my life back slowly, definitely can see huge progress now. I know I am better because people can't tell I have had a hip replacement now! A silent cheer goes up when I go out and no one can tell!!!! Who would have thought it....I never thought the day would come, but it does.

      The glorious sunshine is helping with the walks, I am just about to do a country walk now with the pups. I can see the light...if you know what I mean x

       

    • Posted

      Hi Kate, 

      Interesting you mention your burny foot because .... I have that too - not every time, but sometimes and I  don't know why ...

      More on the side of foot and ankle and I am not brave enough to grab it and rub it away ... not so flexible yet either - 

       

  • Posted

    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

  • Posted

    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

    • Posted

      DidI say a bit of leakage - it was a LOT of leakage, the dressing was constantly soaked in blood.  I had to get my surgery nurse to change it, and the look on her face told the story that it WAS bad.

      Got the district nurse to come and change it as it was just too much for my wife to do.

      There's nothing to stop you applying extra padding on the outside of the dressing.

      Graham

  • Posted

    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!!

  • Posted

    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

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