Swelling after operation

fReedom
fReedom Member Posts: 21
edited 20. Jun 2025, 08:27 in Living with arthritis

My ankles are swollen? Is this normal after hip replacement? How to I help myself prevent the swelling? I am moving. Should I be doing more physio ?

Comments

  • alwayssewing
    alwayssewing Member Posts: 108

    Yes swelling is normal. Drink plenty of water, elevate your legs as often as possible when sitting . Exercises that help and can be done sitting or lying down, ankle pumps, so pump your feet back and forth . Ankle circles, circle your feet one way then the other. This will help the blood flow and decrease the swelling. Ice packs can help with pain.

    The swelling usually goes after a few weeks.

  • Ben
    Ben Member Posts: 4

    I am 19 days post op for THR. I have pronounced swelling of the leg same side as the hip surgery. I have had scan showing no dvt only fluid. I am walking and doing the exercises . I am icing the leg and elevating.swelling seems better when I get up in morning but swells up again after walking . Gp says normal part of healing.weather very hot at moment so not helping. How common is the problem? Have any of you experienced this and how long did it last?

    Thank you for reading this wishing you all well

  • Jane18
    Jane18 Member Posts: 33

    I'm day 11 post-op and also have swelling, especially in my ankle. I find elevating my legs on a pillow helps when in bed and by morning it is a lot better, but then builds up during the day, with the hot weather not helping. Like others have mentioned, ice packs, pumping feet when seated, using a footstool and not sitting in the same position for too long all help with blood flow. And keep walking, even if for short periods. It is part of the natural healing process and I'm hoping will ease up eventually.

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 884

    I have a foot spa which I use quite a bit in summer for my swollen ankles but it was particularly helpful in my immediate post hip surgery period and would recommend them to everyone. However, if you don't have one, a washing up bowl serves just as well with some cool water or a paddling pool and splash your feet around in there. Obviously you can't sit in a paddling pool in the early days but sitting in a garden chair with your feet splashing in a paddling pool, watching the world go by is bliss :)

    Trish

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