Swelling on top of foot and ankles

I have noticed pain on the top of my foot recently too....not sure what that is about? Ice more often! I use it all the time and I put my legs up.I put a pillow under my knees and wore compression socks 24/7 for 2 weeks. Once I started to get my legs up my swelling went down.(I had both hips done at the same time 16 weeks ago.) Once you have your surgery, there seems to be a point where you think you should be doing better than you are......you'll get there!

look on you tube  under this specific title -Compression stocking application made easy!!!!  by Leigh Tracy. This is the brilliant plastic bag method . it will enable a helper to do it more easily. This is the best video - others have similar titles but ar not so good.

Hi Stacy....I think the icing will help and walking mixed with elevating. Could the pain in your foot be nerve pain? I was on Gabepentin in for 2 weeks but the sharp nerve pain was always in my feet . It has since stopped. Icing is probably the best. Make sure you take fiber and stool softeners if you're on that oxy.

I used a walker for 6 weeks per physical therapist, so you may not be behind. My leg and foot swelling was horrible. No shoes for a very long time, just socks. I was concerned too but elevated and iced constantly for two weeks.  I still ice at 8 weeks because I still have slight swelling over the scar.  Activity certainly exacerbated any swelling but is also helpful in working the muscles which works out the fluid.  I changed to cane & can walk unassisted but have more pain.  I listen to the pain & return to cane full time.  

You swelling will go down slowly so don’t worry.  It looks worse than it is and hampers movement but it WILL end.  Good luck! Keep in touch!

Hi Stacy,

I am 10 weeks past.  I had THR on my left hip.  I still have swelling in my left foot and less in my right foot.  I have read in this forum that it sometimes takes up to a year fir the swelling to disappear.  So although it’s annoying, I’ll wait it out.  Hope this helps.

Regards,

Steven

Stacy,

To put your mind at rest. You have undergone major invasive surgery. It sounds from your description that you had Anterior Approach surgery. Although this is meant to lead to a quicker recovery because the muscles are not cut, they are pulled apart to allow access to the hip joint. Following this, your hip joint is either dislocated (and not very gently, they use a pry bar) or the ball is cut off the femur and then pried out. The surgeon will have to drill your femur to take the prosthesis and the titanium stem is then hammered into the hole. To do this, you leg is put into positions a prima ballerina could not achieve.

What I am trying to tell you is that your leg has undergone a major trauma. Anyone who says they do not experience pain and problems during recovery is exaggerating. We all suffer.

Each of us mend at a different rate. Each of us have a different pain threshold and each of our bodies react differently to this operation.

The swelling is normal. My thigh was twice the normal size and took 4 weeks to go back to normal. My knee is still slightly swollen and painful. Occasionally I get pain in my ankle. We are all different. 

Listen to your body. Exercise is very important and you need to work through the pain as the muscles return to normal.

Finally, support stockings are no use in reducing swelling. They are there to help prevent deep vein thrombosis while you are inactive during the first few weeks. they are used in conjunction with anti coagulant drugs. Once you are active (out of bed) and have finished your anti coagulant drugs, you can do away with them, they will hinder you recovery from the swelling as your blood will not be circulating properly.

Try to have more confidence and move onto 2 x cane rather than a walker. Yes it hurts but they don't tell you this before the operation. Gently massage your leg before you get out of bed to help the circulation.Just read the many threads on here from people who have all sorts of problems and then come back later to say it suddenly got better.

You will be OK, don't worry.