Swelling after THR

macri

Hi Everyone
Had THR 10 days ago, it went extremely well and I am not having any problems sleeping on my back(I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that I was worrying about sleeping on my back).
I am now concerned about the swelling to 'both' legs, I telephoned my gp surgery last evening and spoke to a gp, who assured me that it is normal, I have also got a wheezy chest, which I forgot to tell him about. The last time I was wheezy like this I was given water tablets as he thought i had fluid on my lung and my ankles were also swollen.
I am swollen from my knee's to above the wound, it is also quite painful, and the skin is very tight, I was told that this can go on for many months!! I have been immobile for quite sometime as I have OA in other hip, both knees and shoulders neck and lower spine, At the moment the new painkiller Oxynorm is working miracles as I have no pain anywhere else, apart from the swelling and wound, when tabs wear off. I highly reccomend 'OXYNORM' However I divert from my problem, Should I
insist on a home visit today? if it was 1 leg I wouldnt be so concerned, advice please my new friends.
I am so very happy now that the first op is out of the way and am looking forward to summer when the surgeon plans to do the other one, I am already walking so much better than before the op, and to be pain free is so very wonderful, everyone says I look 10 years younger.
Looking forward to your replies.
Chris x

stickywicket

I'm so pleased the op is over and done with and that you are OK sleeping on your back.

As for the rest - it's a bit difficult. With one of my THRs my leg was very swollen for some time - I couldn't get my shoe on - but it was only that leg and it was the lower part. I was told the more I could do the exercises the sooner the swelling would go down and this proved true.

I really have no experience of the sort of swelling and breathlessness you describe and I'm afraid I can't advise on that one except to say when in doubt check with the doc although, as you're only recently post op, why not ring the ward and ask there? Please let's know how you get on.

diamond

So pleased Chris to hear your op went well,I had tkr almost 6months ago swelling is normal for a long time after op.I agree with Sticky that it would do no harm to phone ward for advice especially as you have swelling on other side along with breathlessness.I agree Oxynorm is good wish they had sent me home with it.Hope someone helps you very soon.Kind Regards.xxx

macri

Hi again
Thanks for the replies, I have had a home visit, and have been checked out, everything seems ok, but may need antibiotic for breathing problem, I feel much better now I have actually been seen by a doctor, my mind is at rest. so look forward to getting the rest done and become as normal as I once was, lol. Oxynorm is working am feeling sleepy, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz night night
Chris

stickywicket

I'm glad all is well, macri. Keep doing the exercises to get the swelling down and good luck.