Swollen leg Post Op

Wendy12
Wendy12 Member Posts: 3
in Chat to our Helpline Team

I had TKR 4 weeks ago. I have had swelling in my leg ever since. Cant get it down very much. I rest, elevate,I walk I do my recommended exercises every day, I do other stuff, pack of peas etc. But still it's all swollen. And painful.My bunion and hammer toe needs doing and physio thinks I may have arthritis in foot. Any tips for getting it down I don't have DVT , photo to hospital and visit to GP, no suggestions offered

Comments

  • claudsl
    claudsl Moderator Posts: 161

    Hi @Wendy12

    My dad had a TKR done 4 weeks ago and he was given an ice pack with a strap which he used for an hour at a time several times a day. This has really helped his swelling go down. I would try and get one of these and give it a go. The one my dad was given went around most of his knee, so it would be a lot more beneficial than using a bag of peas etc.

    It may also be worth checking you don't have an infection.

    Hope this helps. Claudia x

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,924

    Hello @Wendy12

    Thank you for posting on Chat to Helpline. I hope you found Claudia's response to your post helpful.

    I am sorry to hear about the persistent swelling you are experiencing post knee replacement. As Claudia has said, it may help to ask about the ice pack with a strap, and also to make sure you don't have an infection or any other cause for the swelling.

    It sounds as if you have been doing the right things and following all the advice you have been given. The first few weeks post op can feel very challenging, waiting for the pain and swelling to subside and wanting to get mobile again as soon as possible.

    I am sorry to hear you also have pain in your foot and the physiotherapist thinks this may be arthritis. It may help to consult a podiatrist. You can also speak to your GP. Heat or cold, NSAID gels such as Ibuprofen or Voltarol and more suitable footwear or insoles may help.

    You are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520, 9am-6pm weekdays, if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence. We are not medically trained.

    You are also welcome to post on our  https://community.versusarthritis.org/categories/living-with-arthritis-forum  forum if you haven't done so already. This is a positive and supportive space where you may receive more responses to your post.

    I hope you find the information given below of some help.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/foot-and-ankle-pain/

    Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

    Best wishes,

    Fiona, Helpline Advisor

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