Recent Hip Replacement

Vance

Hello all, I’m looking for some Tips of how to ease my legs whilst sitting on a sofa, do I use a small footstool or chair? I’m asking because my leg and foot is swollen . I had Hip replacement 4 days ago. Also Tips on how to sleep with cushions and pillows in bed ? Thanks all

Chris_R

Hi @Vance

Welcome to the online community,great you are posting and asking questions.

When my legs ankles are swollen i raise my feet on the same level as where i am sitting,i have a chair that has a raised bit on the end so i am in the right position it works for me but everyone is different. you can get shaped orthpaedic cushions that help with positioning in bed.

Here is a link that may help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/your-home/

Please let us know how you get on and do go onto our forums and chat to others a friendly group of fellow sufferers who are willing to give advice and help.

All the best Christine

RogerBill

Hi @Vance My leg also swelled up a few days after the op. I found feet on stool and semi-reclined in a chair was best plus getting up and moving around every hour. In bed, pillows on either side as I was told to sleep on my back for a number of weeks after the op. Also during the night I found I needed to get up three times to walk around a little.

Lilymary

I was also required to sleep on my back for 6 weeks post THR, I hated it and slept badly but persevered as my hip felt unstable sleeping on my side, even with a pillow between my knees. A few weeks bad sleep was a small price to pay. I found my rump was so tender that I slept on a row of soft pillows from shoulder to knees, then a knee pillow under my ankles to stop getting pressure sores on the back of my heels. I also had terrible restless legs sleeping in this position (which stopped instantly as soon as I could sleep on my side) and found sleeping propped up on pillows helped a bit with that (The rest of the house was depleted of pillows for the duration!). I kept my crutches on the bed beside me to stop me rolling over and for easy access if I needed the loo in the night. It was an utter faff, but I got through it and as I wasn’t doing much (other than the prescribed exercises and getting out for gentle walks on my crutches) I decided it didn’t matter if I had a rough night’s sleep.

i didn’t get the swollen ankles (that I can remember) but keeping your feet elevated, and keeping as active as you can will help with that.

swimmer60

Hi Lilymary! So interested you got restless legs too! It's been awful and so difficult to get to sleep! I did have this before sometimes. My physio said I could now sleep on my side with a pillow, but that feels quite weird after so long on my back, but if it gets rid of RLS I'll certainly persevere.

Am also taking a magnesium supplement as that's meant to help.