Swollen leg 8 days post LTHR

hi deffo raise your feet with a pillow or cushion underneath for part of day i was not told to do this either wasn't told not to do it best when youre lying down ( i had a proper lie down after lunch and had a snooze)

rest of day inbetween walks and exercises i sat on a recliner but the back part of chair went back too if you know what i mean keep to the 90 rule

Hi Steven,

I was told not to use a recliner as it did not keep the hip aligned correctly. No one mentioned icing so I never did it. I used to go and lie on the bed and put my leg on a pillow to allow the swelling to go down. Overall the swelling lasted until about week 12, not as bad as initally but, I could see a difference, especially towards evening.

my legs and got we very bruised and swollen but used my recliner with legs up and ice packs. I wasn't told not to.

by week four swelling had gone down a lot by week six could get shoes on and bruising gone.

Hi, I was told no recliner. I had many lie downs with leg on a pillow between walking etc. Sometimes in the early days less excersize is better. Your leg has taken a pounding, literally. Dont worry if you need to rest a lot and elevate a bit

Denise

The hospital put compression socks on both legs before the surgery. I had minimal swelling and did not elevate. After 2 weeks I only wore it on surgical side . After 4 weeks not at all. It really helped. I hope yours subsides very soon!

I used my recliner, but I made a huge base to sit under it to elevate it to the correct height. You can see it on my website, the address is in my personal info here ...

https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

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

Best wishes

Graham - ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Yes I remember the elephant leg. It lasted for about a month. My foot would get so tight from the swelling that it was uncomfortable and I couldn't wear my shoes. My in home PT said I needed to both ice and elevate the leg. Apply ice around the incision and hip area. Elevate by laying down on the bed for at least 30 minutes. I heard later that 45-60 minutes is better. Put a couple of pillows under your leg to get your "toes above your nose". I would do that about 3 times a day- either taking a nap, reading or listening to music. Ice will also help with the pain.

my reclinerwas my happy place postop. DEFINATELY DID NOT BREAK THE 90 degree rule as the back angles back and feet elevared is always helpful for swelling sorry about the caps not deliberate

Hi there Steve, I had my LTHR on the 16th Oct a few days ago. Had my first night at home on Thursday which was a nightmare. Luckily it was just my thigh down to my knee that was/is swollen. I had no advice regarding elevation or ice either. I have found that my sofa seems to be the comfiest for me. It has low arms which elevate my feet when I'm laid on it. I apply an ice pack every now and again when I'm nagged to by my other half and it appears to have helped massively. I'm concentrating icing my butt cheek and outside of thigh at the moment to see if that helps with the pain. Other than a couple of booklets about little exercises I was given no info, not even on 90° rules or anything. Like everyone I'm paranoid about dislocation. I've done some stupid stuff with my leg too. I'm sure we will both be fine. Sorry for length of reply.

Update: Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. I decided to call the hospital today for clarification, because to me, without elevation there is no way the swelling is going anywhere. Bear in mind I was talking the PT and OT advice that i should be up and about as much as possible, sitting up with only two hours bed rest in the afternoon. well i spoke to a doctor today and she said this: "where does it say you're supposed to be up and sat in a chair for 10 hours a day? you've had a major operation and need to rest and relax. Do your exercises to the letter, do your daily ablutions and toileting, other than that lay in bed on your back with your legs flat on the mattress. never raise your legs with pillows and cushions. get up and sit at a table to eat meals. If your legs keep swelling then keep on laying down. go for plenty of short walks around the house. if it hurts, don't do it". I've been laid in bed most of today and i feel so much better now, the swelling is down a bit and my pain has subsided almost completely!

Look after yourselve😁

Steven, do not panic about the swelling, it will resolve itself. You leg has undergone a lot of trauma, some people are completely black with bruising, some have a lot of pain, others like you swell up. Carry on doing your exercises, walk as much as you can but lie on the bed with a pillow or two under you leg. It will start to recover, do not panic.