Revision THR Other side of hip revision--SWELLING

Status
Not open for further replies.

Birdie53

member
Joined
Dec 16, 2014
Messages
103
Age
63
Location
texas
Country
United States United States
Gender
Female
3 weeks since my hip revision surgery. Would really appreciate anyone who has gone through a total hip revision to give me some ideas of how long swelling and pain lasted as well as just general recovery-- much worse than my first THR! Huge amount of swelling calf,knee,thigh hip and buttox.
Thx!
 
Hi, Birdie...welcome to BoneSmart! I'm glad you joined us.

I hope you're not worried about this swelling. It can happen in the early weeks and months of your recovery. You can read others' threads regarding revisions by going the Hip Replacement tab at the top of the page and clicking on the link to the Hip Recovery Forum. From this index page, look down through the list of threads until you find one with a Revision prefix. Click on that prefix and you will be given an index of only hip revision threads.

Here is also some reading material for you that generally covers hip surgery recovery. Don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have as you go along.

First are the BoneSmart mantras ....

- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a therapist (PT) - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lie down!

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
 
Thank you so much! As I told another member today this has been the best site I have tried for support! Great people and very supportive not combative! And lots of good information! This is my site from now on!
Thx!
 
This is my site from now on!
Well done and Welcome!

If you read the links Jamie sent you about icing and elevating they are tried and tested methods to reduce swelling and the pain it causes. Revision can indeed be a challenging recovery depending on how much trauma was inflicted during the procedure. Do have a read on some of the revision threads. The good news is most revision members are off getting back to living without pain.
 
Hi @Birdie53 - I can't imagine how difficult it is/ has been for you to go through a revision. As you face the challenges of recovery, know that you can find loving support and terrific expertise (from the moderators) on this forum. As they say, Ice, elevate, and stay ahead of your pain with regular medication.
Sending you hugs and best wishes,
Mary
 
Hi Mary
Can't say enough to all who have answered my questions and given me support in just the few days that I have been on Bonesmart.
I was really bummed just a week ago ( 3 weeks into recovery) because the revision surgery had been so much harder than my original THR. The swelling was getting me down--so unbelievable! And no sign of letting up. I was pushing too hard and making things worse. Jamie sent me info which I read and followed and I began to get other
Member support as well and immediately began to feel positive again.i will be going on 4 weeks post op on Tuesday. Today I started walking with the cane which was really encouraging. Tonight it actually looks like the swelling might be going down on part of my thigh-- not just wishing-- really going down! If you saw my leg and hip you would understand! staying positive! Birdie
 
Birdie, it sounds like you really have turned a corner! Revisions can be tough, but you are strong and you can do this. I'm glad to know you're feeling better and hope that continues for you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm so glad to hear things are improving for you!!! It sounds like your body is responding to this more gentle approach to recovery. If you want to really feel good about how things are going, log your progress every day or so here in your recovery thread. After a couple of weeks, go back and read your old posts and you'll be amazed at how far you've come.

You'll get there.....each surgery is different. Sometimes we just need a bit more time to see that forward progress.
 
I have been tracking progress on a calendar. It is good to look back when I get depressed that things are not moving along as I expect. I can see where I came from and things look better. I have been following the ice and elevation religiously. I exercise ( which include lots of walking-- 20 minutes or so, then the 3 exercises my doctor told me to do-- that's all because he said I need bone healing since its a revision etc etc) then I ice for 20 minutes and lastly I elevate for about 30 minutes. I try to do this 3 times a day. Anything anyone can add to this or change that would be helpful? I want to get the most out of each "session".
Still walking with cane. Still taking meds around the clock-- need them. Still LOTS of swelling. Gone down a small amount in the calf and maybe a tiny bit in hip.
4 weeks post op. On Tuesday. Thx!
 
@Birdie53 You can ice and elevate at the same time and do it often. This will reduce the swelling. 4 weeks out is still very early days. 20 minutes walking plus exercise sounds like a bit much. Scale back and take things easy if you are in any discomfort.
 
Hi,@Birdie53 - I had only mild - moderate swelling, probably nothing compared to you, but I know that elevation and icing is the best way to resolve swelling. Fluids collect in the legs for lists of reasons post op, and letting gravity do its job is a huge benefit. Ice is a great anti inflammatory, also.
I pretty much had my legs elevated and ice packs around my incision and any other swollen areas any time that I wasn't either up walking, or doing gentle exercising. ( even the foot pumps were done with my legs elevated.) As Josephine says, "Toes above nose!"
I don't know if you want to make the investment at this point, but I used this pillow pretty much non stop for the first 4 weeks (until swelling resolved) whenever I wasn't up-including sleeping:
https://www.loungedoctor.com/
It keeps your legs at a near perfect angle, allows your back less stress, and really was the best thing I purchased.
The alternative is to position 3 pillows under your legs as shown here on BS - bottom line, elevate and ice!
 
Hi all
Was wondering if there were any rules for getting in the pool and walking. I am now 4 weeks out today. Am doing really well with the cane and icing and elevating as much as I can. I would swear that the swelling is not moving but Was able to put on pajama pants that I couldn't wear 4 weeks ago today! So I guess it is going down! No more men's pj pants! I would like to start walking in the pool-- anyone done that at 4 weeks or around there? Is it safe?
Happy Holiday thx!
Birdie53
 
Are you on any restrictions? I would not recommend getting back in the pool until you are officially released from restrictions by your surgeon. If you don't have any restrictions your surgical wound needs to be totally healed.
 
Good question. I will see Doctor in two weeks and ask. As usual trying to push things again to hurry along. After this last couple of holiday days things are really swelled up more than usual. Think I need to get back into icing etc again. Aargh! So frustrating.
Please have a great holiday!
 
As usual trying to push things again to hurry along.
Doesn't work I am afraid. There is no rushing recovery. Slow and steady. You'll get there!
 
One more week until my six week check and until I can take the darn stocking off my leg! Also may be starting physical therapy at 6 weeks. I am still using cane and can put more and more weight on my revised hip. The dreaded swelling is coming down though slow but I can see the difference. So my life has been wake up get coffee -- do my 3 exercises-- walk back and forth in my living room for about 15 minutes with the cane and then ice and elevate. Am doing this 3 times a day. Have been doing a few easy house things. Still really have to pay for it if I sit too long-- or get in and out of car too many times-- like more than twice! ok that's my update for five weeks. Anything else I can do to move this along?
Here's a funny for all: before my hip revision surgery my doc told me I would be "chipping and putting" ( I'm an avid golfer) in 4 weeks and swinging the rest of the clubs on the driving range in 6 weeks! Hahaha! Just shows how little they know and how different people heal differently-- and he was the one who put the first hip in 7 years ago-- so not like he doesn't know me!
Oh brother!
Nice night everyone-- will start my movie watching now since sleeping is the other thing that eludes me!
Birdie53
 
Anything else I can do to move this along?
The short answer is no. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to rush this recovery. BTW are you still taking your pain meds. You didn't say - but as you get more and more mobile you need meds to help you progress to the next stage of activity.
Just shows how little they know and how different people heal differently
Just more proof that literally everyone reacts differently. You'll get there! Worry not!
 
Ok so I guess I am staying on the right track. Reading my other postings makes me feel good that things are really moving along!

Yes in answer to your med question. I am still taking the meds. A side note I am on fentanyl 37 mcg every other day, cymbalta, and Gralise ( gabapentin) as well as Percocet and a muscle relaxer for severe fibromyalgia. So my pain is being managed by a pain specialist. Instead of my usual Percocet 10/325 she changed to oxycodone
20-40 mg every 4 hour and allowed another dose of muscle relaxer. The hospital had a hard time controlling my pain-- kept blaming it on the other drugs I was taking. Anyway-- I hate to admit to the other chronic pain conditions because there are people who give me the eye roll. I promise it's real-- I would not be enduring the pain meds and side affects if it weren't. That is the feeling I got in the hospital-- like " here's another one of those" they didn't even come in regularly to give me meds. I had to call them in tears after waiting for I am not kidding-- more than an hour.

Oh brother-- sorry about spilling all that out! Apparently I haven't gotten over that trauma!
So I guess what I meant to say was I am not afraid to continue the meds to make things easier as I become more mobile. I do see the benefit.

Promise I will not make my future postings this long and whiney!!!!
Thx as always!!!
Birdie 53
 
I promise it's real-- I would not be enduring the pain meds and side affects if it weren't.
Of course it's real! Don't let anyone tell you different. Well done on all your efforts to keep that pain managed.
Promise I will not make my future postings this long and whiney!!!!
Whine all you want @Birdie53 ! For some, this recovery is just downright difficult! We totally understand!

Here's hoping 2015 is a better year!
 
Hi all- or whomever!
Just had my 6 week follow-up appt with my ortho surgeon. He said I was doing better than he expected considering all the complications with my revision surgery. Yippee! He looked really surprised when I walked without the cane and said I could go without it at home-- yay bc I keep dropping it and forgetting it!
Only use it when I go out-- for others.

No more pillow between my legs at night-- only when laying on my side. No more "potty seat"
Can start bending a little less than 90 degrees. Still no PT. Said the bones need to continue to heal since they incurred quite a bit of trauma. But I can walk in the pool and continue to walk as much as possible.

Still on max pain meds all day-- definitely need them as the more I do the more I pay. But am feeling so much better than I was from post op and 2 weeks in. As I said this revision was so much worse than my first. After talking more with doctor I have come to learn why. Definitely helps to compile those questions and don't let them out of the room until they are answered!

Lastly the swelling that I have come to LOVE haha! He said probably another 3 months to a year.....
So I hated that response but at least I know now that it will go away eventually but just be patient. He also said I was probably too far out for the ice to be helping anymore. Anyone have a thought on that?

Have leg length discrepancy as well so will go check out those others with the same issue after surgery!

Just goes to show as I read all the many posts. We are all different and have different procedures and healing processes. We can't compare too much but we can get great information from each other and a lot of support!
Thx so much to everyone. I have gotten so much from this site.

I plan to be using those golf clubs in 6 more weeks!
Birdie53
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Jaycey
    ADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,167
Messages
1,596,864
BoneSmarties
39,356
Latest member
JanieMarie
Recent bookmarks
0
Back
Top Bottom