Swelling

Hi Andrea

I would be tempted to contact my GP to see if a District or Practice Nurse could put on your stockings to deal with the swelling or ask your Surgeons office for some backup. I didn't have much follow-up and when talking to aPractice Nurse friend about how I hate doing my daily injections, she said patients go to her surgery for all types of post-op help.

 My upper leg swelled on both post-op occasions and my foot was swelling with the stockings on before I elevated my feet periodically throughout the day.  I dread to think how swollen my foot would have been without the stockings. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help. You are doing so well but help you are entitled to after a major op. 

Good luck and wishing you an onward speedy recovery. A XX

Hi Andrea, did you not have joint school before your op? You have had posterior. Anterior is down the front. With the swelling they should have arranged fpr someone to come in and help with the stockings. My hospital sends the early discharge team in to check your would and stockings are ok and if there is anything èlse. Swelling is normal but as you are not wearing the stockings would ask GP to check it. I was also told to go to bed for two hours every afternoon and it certainly helped with fluid build up. Revision is where the new hip joint has worn out. You would certainly know if you dislocated hip. Stop worrying so much. I was very careful for the first three months as I was scared like you. Mine was uncemented. Im nearly 2 yrs post op.

Hi

Anterior (front) and posterior (rear) refers to the place of the operation incision.  It sounds as if you have had the posterior approach which is most common in the uk.  Most surgeons in the uk don't discuss anything other than posterior as very few surgeons are trained to do anterior.  Revision refers to any implant replacement surgery e.g. when the implant has worn out.  

Hope me this helps.  

Sara 

Dear Andrea

I used a sock aid to put my stocking on for several weeks without too much trouble. Hope your recovery goes well.

Cheers Richard

hi andrea, 

Unfortunately it is like that everywhere - little or hardly any information post-op hip replacement surgery - 

I did not have joint school (sounds great) but had the pre-op afternoon where we were informaed about what the surgery entails - To be honest, it went right over my head - 

One of our senior forum members created a web site based on our questions, tips etc. - 

please go to : https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Swelling is normal, even after 3 weeks - unless it is a sudden swelling - mine started upper thight and gradually made it down to my ankle where it lingered for weeks .. 

I did not have stockings but had to self-inject Fragmin for 6 weeks -

Have a look at Graham's, aka Rocketman's, web site -

I would have been lost without this forum ..

big warm hug

renee

 

Morning Andrea.  So sorry your having these issues!!  A revision is when you already had a hip replacement and now they are going back in to replace the whole thing or just one part.  If you dislocated your hip you would know by extreme pain or your hip is higher than the other and your leg is shorter.   That's what happened to me.  I wasn't in extreme pain as I was able to still walk and do the exercises.   Have you been doing ankle pumps?  Did they give you any exercises to be doing?   Elevate your foot. Ice your hip.  Have you been icing?  That helps with swelling.  Keep on the dr to see you.  Just for peace of mind if nothing else.  Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and healing.  God's blessings to you. Hugs 🤗 Linda

I forgot to ask, have you been given the sock aide to help put sox on, a toilet riser so you're not going past 90 degrees when sitting.  Linda 

Hi Andrea after my RTHR they put the stockings on in the hospital and by 3am I was in agony as my whole leg had swollen to double the size and the stocking was cutting off my circulation, I called the nurses who took them off and she contacted my surgeon in the morning and he told her just to leave the stockings off me as he knew I would move about all the time, it was about 3 months before the swelling went down my husband had to go out and buy me shoes 2 sizes bigger.  I am waiting to get my left hip done and that leg has been badly swollen since August of last year never going down so no chance of getting stockings on for this operation.  Hope you are not to uncomfortable and have a speedy recovery. 

Take Care 

Jacq x