Swollen

Posted , 12 users are following.

Hi I had my op a week and 2 days ago x getting on fine but both my knees are extremely swollen is this normal my stockings are very tight does that make them swell xx be grateful for any advice xx

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Mine were swolen for a week or so - and sadly the TEDs have to be tight to be effective ... I hated the stockings, but persevered with them as my father died many years ago of PE following DVT.

    I tried rolling the tops down and back up a couple of times each day, but nothing really helped.  Taking them off for a shower was bliss, but my wife and I could not get them back on - we had to rope my son in to so that!  Showering with them on is OK, and we then dried them out with a hairdryer (not too hot) ..... Oh the fun and games we have had with all of this!

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Hello Vanessa,

    My surgeon told me that when you have your operation you lose a lot of blood and it often goes down to your knees, this fluid also attracts other fluids and creates the swelling, it can last up to 6 weeks, mine stays for 3-4 weeks, my knees felt like a piece of wood.

    I'm 7 weeks post op now and knees and everything else feel completely normal.

    Veronica

  • Posted

    Just a hint I was given - make sure there are no wrinkles in the stockings, they have to be even all the way up and down your legs, wet/damp hands helps move them around. Try to keep the band at the top on the bony part of your knees, just below the kneecap, stops it rolling over. And yes your legs do get very swollen, but if they start to get really hot and hard and red, you need to be looked at by a Dr.
  • Posted

    I didn't have stockings but my operated whole leg was swollen on and off for five weeks. Tony

     

  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa

    Happy Christmas, hope you had a good day yesterday?

    Still very early days yet for you and your leg(s) can get very swollen. It does get better I promise you, but once late at night it was so bad I did ring the hospital ward (they have a 24h support line up to 4 weeks after you leave hospital). They suggested lying down with legs raised on a pillow, your feet should be slightly higher than your head and that does help. 

    I know how uncomfortable it can be but I would never take your stockings off except to change them unless advised by the hospital.

    Hope the swelling improves soon.

    Linnet x

     

  • Posted

    There are different sizes of stockings, When you have your

    stitches out next week check that you have been given the

    correct size.

    Cathie

  • Posted

    Mine did the same had a bit of a panic then some one told me it was ok. The stockings will feel tighter as your legs are swollen once the swelling goes mine lasted bout a week or so believe me it's starts to get better soon promise 😀
  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa

    The knees could be swollen because there's something wrong with them. This is unlikely because they're both swollen.

    Or it could be because your heart and kidneys are not removing fluid from your body effectively. I suspect this is more likely. So the fluid is pooling at the top of the stockings, but possibly your legs are more swollen than they were when the stockings were fitted.

    I think it could be worth checking out with a doctor because the swelling could be a symptom of bigger problems, and because you may need new stockings fitted. Do you have a doctor you can call over this Christmas period?

    Let us know how you go

    Kikeena

  • Posted

    The knee on my operated leg was swollen for about 3 weeks or so. And quite bruised at the back of the knee. My brother (who had a hip resurfacing) told me this was because they use your knee as a jack to dislocate the hip for the surgery. He watched the operation on YouTube. I was quite glad I didn't know this before! But swelling is quite normal and I was told it can take quite a while to go. I think that excercising and moving around helped a lot. My swelling seemed worse in the morning after a night in bed.
    • Posted

      Annone - I had a lovely hand print just above my kneecap, clear as anything, with my first THR.

      Mentioned it to the Dr, and he said, you probably have a matching handprint at the back as well, he looked and said yes you do.

      I have looked at the youtube video sometime later and watching it answered alot of questions, but would not recommend for pre-hip replacement, just a little too scary.

      My sister (a hospital trained nurse) told me it was one of the most gruesome surgeries she had seen, especially if they have problems dislocating to hip joint, and this was before my THR.

      That still didn't scare me, the pain was just too much, I was getting very tired with constant pain, and needed help to walk in the church and cemetery for my darling Mum's funeral, I was well and truly ready for hip replacement.

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