Swelling of my leg and problems with arm when using a crutch.
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Hi i posted a few weeks back and got some good advice.. Hope someone can give me some help again. I had a ceramic total hip replacement six weeks ago and also suffered a hairline fracture of my femur during this procedure.I then had a second operation to wire the fracture 4 days later. Since coming home i have had to use crutches as i am not allowed to bear any weight on my new hip until the 13th Jan when i get my follow up appointment.
I have two problems really and wont see my physio for another week.. I am having a lot of pain in my right arm from using the crutches. I have pain in my upper arm , lower arm and around my wrist. Quite a bit of my lower arm has been numb for about two weeks.. Has anyone had this and any tips on how to ease this...
The second problem is swelling on my operated side. I initially found that the swelling subsided rather quickly and i felt back to normal size after 3 weeks or so. However these last few days my leg has swollen up again and now feels very tight.. Both my thigh and calf are noticebly swollen. I had stopped wearing my stockings last Friday as six weeks were up but have decided to wear them again today..i dunno if i am doing the right thing.. I am trying to move about and wriggle my toes and feet regularly.. I am not a sit around sort of man..I have felt very on my own regarding advice from professionals i am afraid but i suppose he Christmas break hasnt helped but its 4 weeks since any contact happened. Have any of you found their leg has swollen up repeatedly following the operation?? I would feel better to know that this was normal...
0 likes, 21 replies
debbie04463
Posted
I don't lay on my operated side. I have not laid on that side since my original op as it has always hurt probably from scar tissue but I could also feel pressure in my joint.on my healthy side as I lay with pillow between my leg my operated leg feels strange especially now as my inner thigh is numb. Also uncomfortable but a relief from laying on my back. I always end up laying on my back after a while. Glad she has said your leg is fine. Mine has not been noticeably swollen at all apart from slight swelling around my knee. I was not able to weight bear until 3 months after my accident 22 years ago. but that was a reconstruction of the hip socket. I have been trying to walk about house without crutches but surgeon told me not to as my leg gives way without warning and could damage my hip agaan So it can be difficult. I am able to cook now but takes me a while to prepare as I have to move things around the work top. Also standing without sticks though I get a lot of pain still and have 200mg of Tramadol twice s day. They are slow release. My knee altough numb on outside gets painful. I hope yours is more straight forward when you do start walking without crutches. I am sure it will be. Your fracture needed the extra time time to heal and is going to support your new implant. We both have suffered with a different complication that has held back the normal timetable of progress which is frustrating. Especially when you hear how marvellous some people feel after the op. I have read stories of people in their eighties walking a mile without crutches after 6 weeks!
john_05320
Posted
As for sleeping well i got to half six yesterday which was my first proper nights sleep in eight weeks but today i woke at quarter past three.. I cant sleep on either side yet as it just feels very uncomfortable and just not right somehow..my arm is much better now but my wrist is tender and sore.its a slow job but i am on the up.
judi48042
Posted
As for the exercises, then it's really carrying on with your quads in sitting, and progressing your standing exercises, especially the ones out to the side and backwards.
Sleep is come day go day. Once you can tolerate being on your side it will improve. Try it during the day for a few minutes and try to build up . Experiment with different pillows between your knees, some suit better than others. Discomfort responds to being challenged by touch.
I walked to the postbox and back yesterday. I never thought it that far. Definitely makes me appreciate how fast I used to walk as I was overtaken by everyone, even old ladies!
debbie04463
Posted
john_05320
Posted
judi48042
Posted