6 weeks post op and a couple of questions

[Steph]

Almost at the magical 6 weeks mark now - 3 days to go!! I am now walking twice a day and doing a mile each time, which I am quite happy with at the moment, still using one cane most of the time outdoors, but have been practising walking without it. I don't use it indoors at all. So things are doing fine.

I have just a couple of niggling issues though, firstly my scar is only about 7 inches long, which is nice - and has healed down to just a red line now, which is still tender to touch. I sometimes get a very sore stabbing feeling inside the scar area - is this normal? I imagine it is the healing process inside as it sometimes feels very tight as well.

Secondly, I have noticed in the last couple of days that I have had some fluid in my ankles/lower legs - nothing dreadful, but it feels uncomfy - I hardly had any post op so it is a bit of a surprise. Again, is it normal at this stage?

Thirdly, on occasion when doing one of the exercises and some movements, I get what I can only describe as a clonking sensation in the hip joint, almost as if it is moving around in it's socket - I am assuming that this is because th muscles are still not tight round the joint, but just need to have my mind put at rest please.

Otherwise, all is great and I am really enjoying the lack of pain, and the fact that the muscle ache I have is all postive stuff.

 

[TBONE]

Hi Steph--It sounds like your are doing great. I was right about where you are at 6 weeks. Almost ready but not quite, to get off the cane. My scars are about 5" and 6", left and right respectively, so about the same as yours. Not to worry. I had and occasionally have clunking...not painful, just a bit weird. sometimes my knee starts clicking too. I think that's pretty normal.

 

[Josephine]

"Catch" in the incision area is common - most likely a stitch that is getting ready to break apart before dissolving completely. Give it a rub now and again, help it on its way!

Puffy ankles also common. You're getting out and about more now and standing more so it's to be expected. Called dependent oedema. Elevate more and/or wear some support hose or compression stockings, type they sell for long haul flights. That should do the trick.

Clunking also common. Ligaments and muscles take a while to get back into shape. Once they do, it will happen less and less. Happens in knees too!

 

[JudyS]

Steph,
I see that your questions have been answered. I'll just add my 2 cents. The clonking feeling I got for awhile until things got strong. I do have it back now that things have weakened for other reasons not related to the hip surgery.
Same with the incision . My doc told me there is also an internal incision that goes below the smaller one and does not come all the way through the skin so the area below can also have weird feelings and or pain.

I was swollen in both legs tremendously so I don't remembe any at the 6 week point.

Sounds like you are doing great. Still need to remembe to rest though.
judy

 

[Texas]

Hey Steph sounds like your doing well. I think the scar is just that all in healing, Sorry about the swelling I hope it goes away soon. Keep up the good recovery though atleast there are no major problems. Just the lil annoying ones.lol. Please keep us posted...Nice hearing from ya!!

 

[Steph]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, Judy for the info about the internal wound, Tbone for making me feel that what I feel is quite normal (good to share scar sizes too), Jo for putting it all in perspective and Kim for your nice upbeat messages - you always sound so happy. It is just so reassuring to hear that others have had these things as well.

I slept with my legs up on about 3 pillows last night and my calves and ankles are fine again this morning, so the fact that it will disappear overnight tells me I am worrying for nothing. I expect by tonight it will have resurfaced again though. I do have some pescription fluid tablets as well so have taken one of those this morning - now I will probably spend all day running backwards and forwards to the loo :hehe:.

Going to see my consultant on Tuesday evening, so fingers crossed he will allow me to drive again - that should be amusing though as I am sure I will have forgotten how to do it :pzld:............

I am afraid I have given up on the TEDs as of a couple of days ago - my legs felt so itchy and you just cannot scratch yourself through them properly, couldn't bear it any longer. So I thought, OK only about 4 days to go and I am really active so I shall just take the chance....

I will let you all know how Tuesday goes - keep things crossed for me - but not your legs folks - don't want to cause any problems...:shk:

 

[JudyS]

Steph
You're so funny. I forgot to share how long my incision is. It is a traditional posterior and only 5 inches. My doc told me he is getting good at smaller incisions and of course he makes it larger under the skin.

i got so used to not driving I liked it. The not driving!!! I got the OK at 6 weeks. I know at 4 my muscles were not ready. I was ok at 6 though.
Good Luck at your apt.
judy