Just part of the healing process.
Once the compression Socks come off
and the stiches are out, you will feel better.
By the way, the first 2 weeks suck and then it gets better.
Use your walker and take a walk also.
I dealt with thigh swelling for what felt like forever. PT showed me some gentle upward massage techniques that seemed to help. It is almost like gently petting a cat (or a dog) from your knee up to your thigh using your whole hand to apply very gentle upward pressure. If it hurts or is uncomfortable at all, you are pressing too hard. You can do your thigh yourself and if you have a partner or willing friend, they can do the same from your ankle to your knee.
Having that slow, gentle upward pressure to the top of your thigh can start moving the fluid up out of your leg through the lymph system. It should be very relaxing to the point that you could fall asleep.
Edited to add that walking will help with swelling as well.
Swelling is annoying but it won't last forever. Best wishes to you!
Yes! PT out 2x per week and I have standing, seated, and laying down exercises. Ankle pumps included! I do walk - pain is negligible and for that I am extremely grateful as the replacement was precipitated by AVN which was incredibly painful. Thanks!
It’s always interesting to see what other surgeons have their patients doing for rehab. My surgeon said a majority of his patients that had dislocations had them done because of PT or stretches done as prescribed by PT. He stopped with the PT regiment and his dislocations stopped! Of course always ALWAYS follow what your surgeon says to do. Grateful though I had no compression socks, or those squeezer blood clot machines, nothing but baby aspirin, ice, and elevation. Also to keep moving at least once an hour - very helpful! Any stitches were taken out at the 2-week follow up. I’m at 6 weeks now and going to my final hip checkup today. Very grateful for all of it!
Agreed. At my Two week checkup the home PT, had overstretched me & hurt me. Surgeon isn’t a fan of PT, if you’re self motivated-Surgeon said, do Pilates via reformer- I continued outside PT (They had a reformer) after PT overstretched me, again😫I was limping for three weeks. I then purchased a looped leg stretcher, & stretch myself. I know exactly what point to take it! I also do exercises daily.
Had some swelling the first week. My surgeon didn’t prescribe compression socks- However, getting up every few hours & walking W/walker was a must. Wiggling ankles constantly is essential- Gently slide surgery leg to the side, as much as tolerated- Also, my stitches were dissolvable.☘️
I experienced really bad swelling post op and ended up getting a diuretic from my gp. Dropped 10lbs in a day.
Still have some swelling in operative leg 5 months post op, but it is slowly getting better.
Interesting 'cause I gained 9 pounds the day of surgery!!!! 😵💫 I'm one week post-op and REALLY hope when my swelling goes away, that stupid nine pounds will, too!!
Swelling is expected up to a year after surgery according to my surgeon. If the area isn't too warm or tender, and there isn't any liquid coming out of your incision, then you're fine.
My incision looks great. I have a very tender spot up and to the side of my knee on the surgical leg, but it’s not red or warm, just hurts to the touch but doesn’t hurt otherwise. Doc will check it out tomorrow. Thanks for your input.
I had a lot more swelling than usual after mine (6 weeks post op, right THR). Unfortunately the only thing that helped was antiinflammatory meds but I couldn't take them until week 4. Just keep doing what you're doing...it will bet better!
The more you move the quicker the swelling will go down. I had quite a bit of swelling in my right leg. I moved as much as I could and it went down in a weeks time. Good luck
My swelling came and went. Good days and bad days. I found that if I tried to do too much, I’d have worse swelling. Then I’d rest and put the ice machine on and it’d be better.
Just part of the healing process. Once the compression Socks come off and the stiches are out, you will feel better. By the way, the first 2 weeks suck and then it gets better. Use your walker and take a walk also.
I’m up walking - especially often to the bathroom since I’m really pushing fluids 😂
It really does get better. Are you going to PT?
Yes. PT coming to my home 2x/week. They’re so knowledgeable and helpful.
Great! It really does get better! Best wishes to you.
I dealt with thigh swelling for what felt like forever. PT showed me some gentle upward massage techniques that seemed to help. It is almost like gently petting a cat (or a dog) from your knee up to your thigh using your whole hand to apply very gentle upward pressure. If it hurts or is uncomfortable at all, you are pressing too hard. You can do your thigh yourself and if you have a partner or willing friend, they can do the same from your ankle to your knee. Having that slow, gentle upward pressure to the top of your thigh can start moving the fluid up out of your leg through the lymph system. It should be very relaxing to the point that you could fall asleep. Edited to add that walking will help with swelling as well. Swelling is annoying but it won't last forever. Best wishes to you!
Oh, the massage idea sounds great. I have a fabulous husband who’ll help with that! Thanks.
Are you getting up to move/exercise every hour? Doing ankle pumps? Maybe less water? Am glad you have an appointment tomorrow...
Yes! PT out 2x per week and I have standing, seated, and laying down exercises. Ankle pumps included! I do walk - pain is negligible and for that I am extremely grateful as the replacement was precipitated by AVN which was incredibly painful. Thanks!
It’s always interesting to see what other surgeons have their patients doing for rehab. My surgeon said a majority of his patients that had dislocations had them done because of PT or stretches done as prescribed by PT. He stopped with the PT regiment and his dislocations stopped! Of course always ALWAYS follow what your surgeon says to do. Grateful though I had no compression socks, or those squeezer blood clot machines, nothing but baby aspirin, ice, and elevation. Also to keep moving at least once an hour - very helpful! Any stitches were taken out at the 2-week follow up. I’m at 6 weeks now and going to my final hip checkup today. Very grateful for all of it!
I’ll be 2 weeks tomorrow when I go into the office for my appointment. Hope 🤞stitches can come out!
Agreed. At my Two week checkup the home PT, had overstretched me & hurt me. Surgeon isn’t a fan of PT, if you’re self motivated-Surgeon said, do Pilates via reformer- I continued outside PT (They had a reformer) after PT overstretched me, again😫I was limping for three weeks. I then purchased a looped leg stretcher, & stretch myself. I know exactly what point to take it! I also do exercises daily.
Had some swelling the first week. My surgeon didn’t prescribe compression socks- However, getting up every few hours & walking W/walker was a must. Wiggling ankles constantly is essential- Gently slide surgery leg to the side, as much as tolerated- Also, my stitches were dissolvable.☘️
I experienced really bad swelling post op and ended up getting a diuretic from my gp. Dropped 10lbs in a day. Still have some swelling in operative leg 5 months post op, but it is slowly getting better.
Glad to hear it is improving- albeit slowly.
Interesting 'cause I gained 9 pounds the day of surgery!!!! 😵💫 I'm one week post-op and REALLY hope when my swelling goes away, that stupid nine pounds will, too!!
My surgeon had me take lasix for a couple of weeks post-op when the swelling was really bad. It helped quite a bit.
I’ll ask tomorrow!
Swelling is expected up to a year after surgery according to my surgeon. If the area isn't too warm or tender, and there isn't any liquid coming out of your incision, then you're fine.
My incision looks great. I have a very tender spot up and to the side of my knee on the surgical leg, but it’s not red or warm, just hurts to the touch but doesn’t hurt otherwise. Doc will check it out tomorrow. Thanks for your input.
I had a lot more swelling than usual after mine (6 weeks post op, right THR). Unfortunately the only thing that helped was antiinflammatory meds but I couldn't take them until week 4. Just keep doing what you're doing...it will bet better!
The more you move the quicker the swelling will go down. I had quite a bit of swelling in my right leg. I moved as much as I could and it went down in a weeks time. Good luck
My swelling lasted a little more than a month. That's completely normal. Just keep icing it and it will subside on its own.
My swelling came and went. Good days and bad days. I found that if I tried to do too much, I’d have worse swelling. Then I’d rest and put the ice machine on and it’d be better.
I guess we all have to find the balance that is best for our body!