Tips To Reduce Swelling After Total Hip Replacement Surgery
July 25, 2022 by Herman Botero, MD
Swelling is a natural response to trauma. When your body is injured, blood and fluids are brought to the area so that it swells up, which makes movement a little more difficult. Thats the idea, because if the body can help to restrict movement at the injury site, it can hopefully help to prevent additional trauma from more movement or stress.
So while swelling can be protective, all this static fluid in an area can actually slow the healing process. If you can work to limit swelling and protect the area from additional damage on your own, you can actually speed up your recovery. With that in mind, we want to share some tips for limiting swelling after hip replacement so that you can recover faster after the operation.
Faqs For Hip Replacement
What happens after I schedule surgery?
Dr. Hickman’s medical assistant will schedule your surgery with the facility you and Dr. Hickman has been selected. The M.A will then authorize this procedure with your health insurance company. Please understand that authorization is not a guarantee of payment and it is always a good idea that you check with your insurance company regarding deductibles, copays, and coinsurance responsibilities. You should also have selected a preoperative appointment in our office. This usually takes place 1-2 weeks prior to your surgery date.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery. You should also wash your surgical site with an antibiotic soap . You do not need to shave over your surgical site, this will be taken care of in the operating room.
What time will my surgery be?
Your surgery time will be set by the hospital or surgical center. They will contact your the last working day before your surgery. They usually call after 1pm. Questions or concerns regarding the time of your surgery should be addressed to the hospital.
Should I stop my medications prior to surgery?
How do I care for my wound?
How will my wound look after surgery?
Do I need TED hose ?
Most patients do not need compression stockings after surgery. They do not help prevent blood clots, but may be helpful in reducing swelling for select patients.
Do I need an ice machine after Surgery?
How Long Does It Take To Recover After A Hip Replacement
On average, hip replacement recovery can take around two to four weeks, but everyone is different, says Thakkar. It depends on a few factors, including how active you were before your surgery, your age, nutrition, preexisting conditions, and other health and lifestyle factors.
Achieving a certain level of activity before you have the surgery can help you bounce back more quickly, shares Thakkar. We use a regimen called prerehabilitation, or prehab, to help patients get in a physical shape that will set them up for a successful recovery.
Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery | Q& A with Savya Thakkar, M.D.
Savya Thakkar, a hip and knee replacement specialist, talks about which conditions may require a hip replacement and what to expect before and after the surgery.
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Swollen Feet/toe Post Hip Replacement
< p> This may be in the wrong group admin move if you think it can be better placed< br /> 7 weeks after successful total hip replacement my ankles and feet have swollen up , more on the left which is the side I had the operation , feet shiny< /p> < p> Not been very mobile so maybe thats it, Am on diuretics which make me wee a lot but are not doing anything for my feet< /p> < p> Anyone got any ideas, I have read kinesio taping help any experience here ?< /p>
@lotsofpain I am sorry to hear of your swollen feet post-surgery. You will notice I did edit the title of your post and moved it into the Joint Replacement Group so that others with hip replacement experience can join the conversation.
I did notice you were also able to connect with @contentandwell and @peggyp in the Hip Replacement discussion where they shared some helpful information on taping and compression stockings. Have you tried either of those suggestions?
@lotsofpain, I think it’s normal to have swelling in the legs and feet for at least 4 to 6 weeks after a hip or knee replacement. I had a knee replacement in 2019 and was not icing and elevating my leg enough when I was at home recovering. @sueinmn may also be able to share some suggestions along with her experience. Here are some questions and answers on hip and knee replacements you might find helpful.
Are you doing any icing and elevating of the legs during the day?
What Causes Swelling In Leg After Hip Replacement
During surgery, the body produces thousands of cells to heal the incision and the tissues that were separated/cut. When these cells are present, they cause swelling by injecting fluid into the tissues. Because of gravity, there is a lot of swelling in the leg.
An elderly 71-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman who had recently undergone total hip replacement developed unilateral leg swelling in both cases. Following the treatment of the swelling, the patients recovery was rapid. A foreign body giant cell reaction, a double-breaking fibrous polyethylene pigment, and granular metal pigment were discovered in a bursa. A. Algarni AD, Huk OL, Pelmus M, Proschek P, Hochmuth K, Balzer JO, Mack MG, Vogl TJ, and others. Trauma Surg., Arch Orthop Trauma. The journal Sep 2007 126:493-7 was published in September 2006. After metal-on-metal treatment for iliopectineal cysts, the patient will be treated with arthroplasty for venous obstruction and lower limb swelling. I Wataya T, Nozawa S, Ohashi M, Sakai H, Shimizu J, Nakai S, Goto T, Ikeda Y, Shimaoka Y. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol, 2021 DOI: 10.4009/y The report was published on October 31 in the Journal of Applied Linguistics.
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How Will It Affect My Sex Life
If you were finding sex difficult before because of pain, you may find that having the operation gives your sex life a boost. Your surgeon can advise when itâs OK to have sex again.
As long as youâre careful, you should be able to have sex after 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid vigorous sex and more extreme positions.
How Long Does Knee Pain After Hip Replacement Last
How long knee pain lasts after a hip replacement can differ from person to person.
Youll likely experience knee pain for about 2 weeks and up to 1 month after surgery. But several factors can influence how long your knee pain lasts, including:
- how much activity you do while youre recovering
- how closely youre following physical therapy recommendations
- how much stretching youre doing each day
- how regularly youre taking prescribed pain medications
- the position you sleep in at night
There are many options to treat knee pain after a hip replacement. Physical therapy and temporary lifestyle changes can help reduce knee pain caused by the surgery. Additionally, the following may help.
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What Should I Do 2 Weeks After Hip Replacement
One or two weeks after surgery youll probably be able to:
- Move about your home more easily.
- Walk short distances, to your mailbox, around the block, or perhaps even further.
- Prepare your own meals. One to 2 weeks after surgery you may be able to stand at the kitchen counter without a walking aid.
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How Long After Hip Replacement Can I Tie My Shoes
Because tissue healing can take up to 6-8 weeks, the surgeon advises patients not to bend during this process, so your shoelaces may not be tied until 8 weeks after the tissue heals.
Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure. Recovery takes time, and the patient must take certain steps to ensure that they are completely healed. It takes time after hip replacement to tie your shoes after a hip replacement, depending on the technique used. Some people may need to wait a few weeks to do so because they havent been able to do so in a long time. Finding the right shoe in a crowded market like this can be a difficult task. You must consider several factors when selecting a shoe, including the level of support required. These are the five most popular shoes for people who have had a hip replacement.
The hip replacement procedure is not designed to allow for high heels. Wearing them can make you feel even worse. High heels are unavoidable as a result. It is best to wear heels with a low heel or a flat. You must also absorb shock to reduce the impact on your feet and hips.
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What Should I Be Doing In The Early Stages Of My Recovery
- Continue your exercise program and increase activity gradually your goal is to regain strength and function.
- Follow all therapy instructions.
- Resume activity as you gain strength and confidence.
- For total knee replacement, swelling of the knee or leg is common with an abrupt increase in activity. If this occurs, elevate the leg above the level of your heart , and apply ice directly to the knee. You may continue with elevation and icing as needed to help decrease swelling and discomfort.
- Continued exercise at this early stage is important to achieve the best outcome with your new joint replacement. Based on your needs, your therapy may be continued at home or in an outpatient setting of your choice. You will be given an exercise program to continue exercising at home.
Don’t sit for longer than 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Use chairs with arms. You may nap if you are tired, but do not stay in bed all day. Frequent, short walks either indoors or outdoors are the key to a successful recovery.
You may experience discomfort in your operated hip or knee, and you may have difficulty sleeping at night. This is part of the recovery process. Getting up and moving around relieves some of the discomfort.
You should climb stairs with support. Climb one step at a time good leg up bad leg down. Hold on to a railing, if available.
When you’re a passenger in a car, sit on a firm cushion or folded blanket to avoid sitting too low.
What Causes Knee Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery
Its not all that uncommon to have some knee pain after a hip replacement. Changes in the length of your leg can put some additional pressure or stress on your knee joint. Another common cause is that the sensory nerves that lie over your hip also provide sensation to your knee. This can cause perceived knee pain when its really coming from your hip.
Additionally, a total hip replacement may cause pain at first until your bone and the implant unite, which can be felt around your knees.
But you may want to get medical attention if your knee pain continues longer than a few months after surgery.
Read on to learn what can cause knee pain after a hip replacement, how long this type of pain typically lasts, and what you can do to help ease knee pain.
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Swollen Ankles After Surgery
Let us understand the dynamics behind the ankle swelling after the surgery. And the way it can be avoided if necessary measures are taken, by the patient and the nursing staff as well.
Arteries carry the blood from the heart to the extremities and the end tissues, the same blood is then returned to heart via the veins. Proper return of the blood to the heart is ensured by the valves in the veins and the level of contraction of the muscles of the extremities during activity.
If Youve Recently Undergone Hip Replacement Surgery You May Be Noticing Some Swelling Around The Hip And Are Worrying About This
Hips dont stay swollen as long as knee replacements, begins Barbara Bergin, MD, board certified orthopedic surgeon at and co-founder of Texas Orthopedics, Sports & Rehabilitation Associates.
Dr. Bergin explains, Knee replacements stay swollen for almost a year! Hips, because they are deeper, dont stay that swollen, but some swelling might be normal for a few months.
If swelling suddenly increases and is associated with some reddening around the incision, this might be a sign of infection, and a patient should seek consultation with their doc asap.
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Causes Of Swollen Feet And Ankles
Swollen ankles after surgery is very common manifestation of lower leg surgery, for e.g. knee replacement surgery, hip replacement or any other surgery associated with lower legs. Excessive swelling in lower legs can interfere in the recuperative process after the surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis is a post surgical complication which one can come across giving rise to swelling in ankles and legs.
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Does Walking Help Reduce Swelling After Hip Replacement
There is no definitive answer to this question as each individualâs situation is different. However, some doctors may recommend gentle walking as a way to help reduce swelling after hip replacement surgery. Walking can help improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, which may reduce swelling. Additionally, walking can help to prevent blood clots from forming. Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program after surgery.
It is simple to return to daily activities after surgery if you exercise on a regular basis for at least three weeks following the procedure. Walking is the best exercise for a healthy recovery because it will help you regain your hip mobility. Exercise can alleviate pain after surgery and improve blood flow, even if it is painful at first. Walking around the house should be done every 1-2 hours and 2-3 times per day for 20-30 minutes. You can eventually walk and stand for more than 10 minutes without using your walker or crutches. Climbing stairs is an excellent way to gain strength and endurance.
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What Could Slow Down My Recovery
As with any surgery, there is some risk of complications during and after a hip replacement, which may include infection at the incision site, bone fractures and hip dislocations, explains Thakkar. If you notice a fever, drainage from the incision site, difficulty moving your hip or severe pain that is not relieved by your medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Taking rehabilitation at a comfortable pace and avoiding sudden, sharp movements can help prevent dislocations and falls that may delay the recovery.
Bathing And Wound Care
- It is not unusual for some blood to show through on the dressing. If bleeding seems to be continuing and the area is larger than 2 inches or so, please call the office.
- Remove the dressing and shower three days after the surgery. It is ok to get the sutures or tape strips wet. You should not submerge the incisions in a pool, hot tub or bath until four weeks following surgery.
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Reducing Swelling After Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement is a major surgery, so no matter what you do, youre not going to be able to prevent all swelling from occurring. In fact, even if you are proactive, odds are youre going to have moderate to severe swelling in the hip region for the first few weeks after the operation. Mild to moderate swelling may persist for 3-6 months following the operation, but this is the time when swelling reduction techniques can be most effective. Heres a look at some ways to control and reduce swelling after a hip replacement procedure, but always make sure you are staying in line with the recommendations provided by your treating physician.
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Hip Replacement: How To Ease Into Activity
It is critical to allow yourself plenty of time to recover after hip replacement surgery in the first two weeks. As long as you keep to your hospital physical therapyâs recommendations, you should be able to perform light activity. If you increase your activity level gradually in the first two weeks, your body may respond more slowly, but it is always best to listen to your body and pace yourself. Walking is a great way to keep your new hip in good shape you should walk two to three times per day for about 20-30 minutes. Your bodyâs tolerance for extended periods of time will allow you to gradually increase your concentration.
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How About A Blood Clot
Joint replacement surgery be it knee or hip is a risk factor for a blood clot known as a deep vein thrombosis.
These usually develop in the lower leg and in some cases, cause the noticeable symptoms of pain or cramping, swelling and redness in the affected area.
However, a DVT can also form in the pelvic region. Any kind of swelling, unusual redness or warmth, or pain or cramping, should be examined by your orthopedic surgeon.
A DVT can dislodge from its location of development and rapidly travel to an artery in the lung, cutting off air flow. This can be fatal in minutes.