13 days out ... still swelling !!

[Oldmarine]

13 th day since Right THR. Was told needed extra IV during and after surgery due to dropping blood pressure ..... ended up with 'edema', swelling on both thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet, groin and testicles. Worse on operated side but very uncomfortable and slowing down re-coop. Pain is a non issue. Only pain is tightness of skin due to swelling. Told only time will fix it. I do use ice on testicles, but difficult to raise feet etc above heart due to restrictions and fact I live alone.
Am trying to move as much as I can take, but gravity seems to pull swelling down to ankles.
Bowel movements and urine normal. Any ideas on how to speed up getting rid of this 'edema' ?? Home PT starts tomorrow, but am getting so depressed. Med people say it will take a natural body response up to a month for body to rid itself of these fluids.
Thought I would be doing better after 13 days. Was I too optimistic ?? Spent 10 days in Hosp. Today will be my 4th day home.
Thanks ..

 

[TBONE]

Hello Marine-- I, too, had a great deal of swelling in my lower body. I looked like a pear. It scared me. It started at about day 5 post-op and dissipated gradually from day 15-28 I would estimate, or, more accurately, flowed down my body and then dissipated. Not sure whether anything can be done. I was in the hospital only 3 days also. I would have to guess that it will start to get better pretty soon so hang in there. I think that is about all I can add.

 

[Judles]

Marine......also try drinking lots of water to flush your system from all the bloat!
:thmb:

 

[Texas]

Hey Old marine yes that is very soon. But your right time heals,.ugh!!!!!!!! I wish the best for you and hope all this healing speed up...........)

 

[Josephine]

Oldmarine, you've had a very major operation and your body has had a major assault. It's not going to resolve as quickly as that! Swelling can persist for some weeks and that's perfectly normal. Don't rush it. Healing is a slow process.

 

[Laurie]

Hi still swelling, I had RTHR a year ago. I do remember being concerned about the swelling long after surgery--though it was mostly isolated to my right hip and thigh, I remember worrying up to a month out that I was stuck wtih a swollen right side. Even asked my OS about it at one month. As he reassured me, the swelling disappeared gradually. I hardly remember it now. Take care and give your body time. All is bound to be better day by day.

Laurie
walking miles and miles and doing great at 1 yr RTHR at age 56

 

[Judles]

Hi Laurie!! Happy 1 year anniversary of your wonderful new hip!!!:thmb::thmb:

 

[Laurie]

Thanks a bunch Judi. Where are we all meeting for lunch?? Guess you would be coming the farthest if we meet in NJ. How far is Fairfield for you?

Laurie

 

[leosmom]

but difficult to raise feet etc above heart due to restrictions and fact I live alone.

Hey Oldmarine. I had swelling I can remember into my 3rd week and that tightness of the skin on my leg was very uncomfortable. I too live alone and had difficulty elevating (couldn't lift my leg up onto anything - ow ow). So here's what I did. I spent my sitting time in my recliner. I found that if I took a throw pillow and leaned it against the footbed of the recliner, backed into it I could hold it with my op leg against the footbed while I raised it to recline. Once in recline position my leg then was elevated above my heart. Ta Da:p :D

 

[Oldmarine]

Great advice kathy .... rigging up my recliner as we speak ....
Have been afraid to get into recliner, wondering if getting out will violate 90 degree rule ... but building up seat part with king sized bed pillows to keep everything high.
Thanks,

 

[george]

Sorry to hear about the swelling......This is day 3 of 'no swelling'....No extra anything...It just disappeared gradually over several nights....At home P.T. getting my mobility back helps although the swelling limited my movements...(hope endurance follows) today I made my first outing since surgery...To movie rental using a cane, (wife drove) no pain.....I'm lacking confidence but getting better everyday.....God bless my wife...such patience...she has only 'put me in my place ' a couple of times and those were probably well deserved. My P.T. says she has to change gears when she comes here...Instead of saying 'come on, we have to do our exercises" She has to rein me in..."slow down, and take it easy"....We make a good team......I'm hoping this is only a bump in the road for you...we did this thing at the same time and you know I'm not going to run off and leave you...ha,ha...don't be a stranger....George

 

[george]

Ah yes, the recliner....I'm renting one for a couple of months...the bed and the recliner are the only two comfortable places in the house.....Be careful of the 90 degree rule....I use the walker for stability getting in and out.....Your non-op'd leg will get really tired of lifting ..but it was great for naps....and elevation...George

 

[george]

Heres one differnce...I've had a weeks worth of home p.t. while you've had hosp. care..I had thought that you would have been ahead of me due to your care being more intensive?....I think you'll find that the p.t. visits will make a difference....My goal is a pain free hip and reasonable mobility ...in less than a year....we've both taken big steps...George