thy and knee swollen after surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

I had thr right side on 8-17-17. I was doing fine, walking pretty quick with walker barley putting weight on walker. doing PT with knee bends and all. about 5-6 days in, my knee and thi and leg swelled really bad. I couldn't see my knee cap anymore, I couldn't bend my knee at all. Sitting down has to require my leg placed up on something because knee will not bend. Pain just touching skin is extreme! Physical therapy sent me straight to er for blood clot test. Test (negative) but most painful thing every ultrasound on swollen leg. The surgeon thinks I over did it on PT or riding in a truck to a few jobs since I felt good. I have been ordered to lie in bed for 3 days with leg in air on ice, to reduce swelling cancel all PT and then see surgeon again this coming Wednesday. Does this sound like par for the course? I heard some people swell up bad and some don't?????

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    I agree that the PT might have been to much , my surgeon says the only PT should be walking and doing the self exercises and stretching they gave us to do before and after surgery . Sounds like you need to rest , elevate and ice ...I would reconsider PT for now 
  • Posted

    Evening Chuck.  Well at least you were sent to get checked.  So icing, elevation and keeping off the leg is good advice.   It happens that we feel good and carry on like nothing, but you're still in early days and this is a big surgery. just listen to your body and try to take it a little more easier.   Ur still healing and it can take up to a year so be careful. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and healing. Hugs 🤗 Linda.   

  • Posted

    I have to agree with Kelly and Linda. You more than likely overdid it. I'm 5 1/2 weeks out and feeling good but there were times very early on that I did a little to much and paid the price with pain and swelling. Not as bad as you described but I may not have overdone it as much. I too was told to walk for my PT and nothing else. So it is possible that the extra movements may have caused it. Relax for a couple or 3 days and see how it feels and looks. If it is still painful and swollen, get it checked out. Good luck!

  • Posted

    Chuck,

    Your situation reminds me of my first THR when they assigned me to therapy a week after the operation; and the therapist had me lay on the exercise table and do "leg lifts".  I did 20 easily and repeated the same the next day.  But the third day, my leg would not budge off the table!!!  Thank goodness I could still walk.  The doctor examined the hip and finally said that I had just overdone the leg lifts and that muscle had just "shut down".  As I recall, rest and ice packs finally (several weeks as I recall) brought the muscle back. Chuck, hang in there and don't rush the recovery. 

  • Posted

    dear chuck ...

    Not sure what to say here ... 

    slow down, you move too fast 

    you had major surgery not even 2 weeks ago and have already been riding a truck to a few jobs??? 

    I am assuming that you had the anterior approach since you don't mention any restrictions ..

    however , your hip joint needed to be dislocated and replaced .. so there is some damage and weakness there that needs to be repaired ...

    Your surgeon is right and kudos to your PT who send you to ER -

    Don't worry, you are right on par ....  

    Easy does it

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Posted

    Thank You all! for advice. Today I can bend my knee about 5 degrees, the swelling is down just a little bit. I get the two types of surgery confused, I the old school big cut on the but. I think that's posterior?? So I have the 6 week precautions of bending, twisting, crossing legs.

    I was just surprised how at hospital I was wlalking and bending knee at therapy the day after surgery. All the PT people said the more I move the better i'll feel. I guess I took them a little literally.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.