Redness round scar 9 weeks after hip replacement

Fran54

claudsl

Hi @Fran54 could you please provide some more information in your post so I can advise better?

Many thanks, Claudia :)

Fran54

Hi

I had a hip replacement 9 weeks ago and all is going smoothly, apart from I keep getting red bruise-like marks appearing around the scar ( not the whole length of the scar though ).They seem to fade then come back again and also I get twinges of pain for a few seconds which then goes. It is still a bit tender around the area as well and sometimes feels a bit warm. I do elevate my legs for about 20-30 minutes twice a day. I am wearing loose clothing most days and am wondering if something is perhaps rubbing it slightly.

I had a physio appointment last week and she looked at my scar and said all is healing well. I was also advised to use heat/cold compressions of which I used my wheat bag (which had been in the freezer). I am wondering if it is the inner tissues/ nerves that are healing and causing this.

I would be interested to know if any "hippies" who are now post-op have had this happen to them.

I am seeing a consultant on the 9th September for a check up.

Thank you.🙂

claudsl

Hi @Fran54 thanks for proving more info on this.

I don't have much knowledge on this however it may be a good idea to get your GP or practice nurse to check it to make sure there's nothing to be concerned about. Hopefully someone who has went through a similar operation can offer more advise for you.

All the best, Claudia

Fran54

Hi @claudsl

thank you for your reply. Meanwhile I have been thinking ( a bit dangerous for me! ) when I have gone out in our car I mentioned to my hubby today that the seatbelt when clicked in place cuts across the area where my scar is and it does feel uncomfortable. So will try putting some padding there to see if it helps. If not then I will contact the practice nurse at my GP's. It maybe just something simple like that hopefully.

Trish9556

hi @Fran54

I think you're doing fine - recovery from hip surgery is a Marathon, not a sprint.

Get a pot of E45 (not the bottle), keep it in the fridge and rub into your scar as often as you like. You don't have to store it in the fridge but I found that the heat I experienced around my scar eased when it was cold. Also a bag of frozen peas (I keep a use and refreeze bag in the freezer precisely for this), wrap in a tea towel and apply as often as you need to If you use heat inbetween (a warm hot water bottle) will help ease any swelling. You could also run a cool hand held shower over the scar for 5 minutes or so when you're in the shower.

My physio also told me I should elevate my leg for at least two hours every afternoon. I used to do a session of physio on the bed then nap with my leg raised with pillows.

Good luck

Trish

Fran54

hi @Trish9556

Thanks for your reply.

I have a pot of E45 cream and will start to rub in a little around the scar and I have got a wheat bag and that is in the freezer ready to use later. Also when I have done my physio I do lie down and elevate my legs ( that is to recover from the exercises! )

I have managed to get an appointment at my Dr's surgery with a nurse on Saturday as I thought it would be best just to get it checked over for peace of mind.

Take care.🙂

Janlyn

@Fran54 good advice above and good to hear you've an appointment with a nurse tomorrow.

Just one thing you said made me think. You mentioned wearing loose clothing most days. I didn't have any problems at all with loose clothing but I had something similar and I put it down to wearing my jeans and them rubbing my wound a little. I started to mainly wear loose clothing again but if I wore anything I thought might irritate I put a plaster over the bit that was turning red.

Hope all goes well.

Fran54

@Janlyn

saw a Dr this morning instead of Nurse. He has given me a course of anti-biotics for 5 days. I also mentioned this sensation around the wound area that when I walk it feels like something is popping/moving slightly, but it does not cause any pain when walking or doing my exercises. He advised me to mention this to the Doctor when I have my check up hospital appointment on the 9th September.

I had started to wear my jogging trousers again, although not tight they are more closer fitting, so may have to go back to my looser clothing ( baggy trousers come to mind!)

Oh well, these things are sent to try us.😏

stickywicket

I'm glad you saw a doc, @Fran54 . He clearly feels you have or might have an infection in there and better safe than sorry.. After my knee revision I was on antibios for 6 weeks as, with a grea. My excellent surgeon was determined nothing would interfere with his handiwork and it didn't. Still beautifully strong many years later.t deal of effort, they finally managed to grow a bit of culture on the one they removed. I hope all goes smoothly from now on.

Fran54

@stickywicket

Yes I thought it better to have it checked as it had been healing very well before hand with no redness and very little tenderness. So hopefully it will be greatly improved by the time I have my hospital appointment.

Thank you and take care🙂

Janlyn

@Fran54 it's good to hear you saw a doctor who gave you antibiotics - hopefully they'll do the trick but it's good to hear you see your hip doctor next week.

And definitely these things are sent to try us 😊