First few weeks after hip replacement

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  • bookie61
    bookie61 Member Posts: 1

    Day 10 after Hip Replacement, and the pain is still bad, even after taking medication. Everything went well with the operation and I’m due to get stitches out on Tuesday. The pain and swelling is really bad from the knee to the foot. Has anyone else experienced this? Cannot get through to the Doctor for advise. Just wondering is this normal and how long it can last . 😩

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 838
    edited 11. Apr 2025, 05:44

    Hi @bookie61

    I was told by my physio post surgery to always rest on the bed and keep legs elevated for two hours every afternoon and this should help. Use pillows to lift your legs but not too high. You will know if you try to raise them too much. You can do this when you've done your physio and already on the bed.

    Are you still using surgical stockings? Again I was told to use these for six weeks. They're the most awful things ever invented but they do work.

    Some swelling will ease once the stitches come out and whoever does that will give you any advise at that time.

    Are you drinking plenty? It is also hot which won't help but keeping hydrated with water/squash / tea wll also help. It is tempting if you only have an upstairs bathroom not to drink much so we don't have to struggle upstairs but you probably need to drink more post surgery.

    I would also recommend if you can't get through to surgery. Ring 111 for advise on the pain/swelling. I do also email my surgery when they dont answer the phone and that sometimes work. Always stress how urgent it is that you speak to somebody and say exactly why.

    Ice oavks/frozen peas will also help swelling. Use a tea towel to wrap them in. I keep a bag of cheap and cheerful in the freezer for this purpose. Remember not to use these for eating!

    Good luck. Remember recovery is a marathon and not a sprint race with good days and bad days.

    Trish

  • Fran54
    Fran54 Member Posts: 298

    @bookie61

    after my hip replacement I was told to drink plenty of fluids which I think was to help get the anaesthetic out of the system and keep yourself hydrated. I had swelling from my right lower leg down to my ankle appear a couple of days after coming home and was told elevating the leg would help. My Consultant told me it could take up to a year for the swelling to completely go and it took about 8 months. Then again everyone is different. If you are really worried it may be worth contacting your Consultant or even speaking to the person on Tuesday when you have your stitches removed. I hope things go okay for you and please keep us updated on your recovery.🙂

  • Janlyn
    Janlyn Member Posts: 642

    @bookie61 you've had some good advice above and I would add that I had swelling in both knees down to my feet - strugged to get shoes on for a while. It lingered for a while, weeks/months in total but eventually all went back to normal. I don't recall finding it painful though so I would suggest you try to talk to the hospital staff or make sure you discuss when you have your stitches out on Tuesday. Hoping you are feeling more comfortable soon.

  • distantshores
    distantshores Member Posts: 79

    @bookie61 I found the pain agonising for the first 2/3 weeks but I didn't have pain before the operation only discomfort and I only took ibuprofen and paracetamol as I couldn't take codeine/co-codamol. I had to buy a pair of larger size slippers to wear so that I could go out on Christmas day which was 4 weeks after the operation as my foot was too swollen to get anything else on. I only wore surgical stockings on the operated leg in hospital and was told it wasn't necessary. I took aspirin for 6 weeks

    I was concerned about the swelling and went to the doctor's and was referred for scan for DVT (all fine). When I went back to the surgeon for the second time (as I was so worried) he told me that it can take a year for the swelling to completely go. Now, 5 months after the op, there is still a very small amount of swelling in the foot on operated leg but I can get trainers on and Skechers to go about my daily life and exercise so it does go down. It is important to elevate the leg sometime during the day (can't say I always did) and also at night. Also make sure you do the physio exercises. All the best for recovery

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