What Should I Expect After My Total Hip Or Total Knee Replacement
NOTE: The following is a general guide to care following your procedure. Your healthcare provider may have somewhat different instructions for you. Please follow those.
After total knee or total hip replacement surgery you can expect gradual improvement over the coming months. You should gradually expect less pain, stiffness and swelling, and a more independent lifestyle. Returning to work depends on how quickly you heal and how demanding your job may be on a new joint.
After you are discharged from the hospital or rehabilitation facility, there will be a few weeks before you return for a follow-up visit with your surgeon. This period of time is critical in your rehabilitation and you may require outpatient therapy services for positive long-term results from your surgery.
In general, patients do very well after discharge. However, its important that you contact the surgeons office if any of these occur:
- You have increasing pain in the operative site.
- There is new or increased redness or warmth since discharge.
- There is new or increased drainage from your incision.
- The operative site is increasingly swollen.
- Your calf becomes swollen, tender, warm or reddened.
- You have a temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours.
- For total knee replacement, your ability to flex has decreased or remains the same as when you were discharged from the hospital.
Dependent Edema After Surgery
Many patients do not move around much after surgery. If you spend much time in a chair, you feet will usually be lower than your heart. Because fluid follows gravity, it accumulates in the legs. Not moving around makes things even worse. When we move around, our body removes fluid from our legs. So, if you do not move around much, fluid builds up. On the other hand, once you do start moving around more, that should take care of the swelling.
Swelling Can Lead To Complications
Pain and swelling are common after surgery and throughout the entire healing process. Reducing swelling in the joint can prevent complications such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and infections. While the risk of complications associated with total joint replacement surgery is considered low, there are still recommendations patients need to follow to stay healthy and recover quickly.
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How Will I Feel The First Few Days Back From Joint Replacement Surgery
No matter how much you prepared for your homecoming, it will be an adjustment. You will likely experience anxiety and question whether you were discharged too early. This is a normal feeling, so relax and focus on your recovery.
Depending on your surgeon’s policy, you may get a call from a care coordinator. This is your opportunity to report any problems and ask any questions. You may also get a visit from the physical therapist or occupational therapist within 48 hours of discharge. Your provider will let you know what to expect and the timelines involved.
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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How Do I Manage Pain And Discomfort After Joint Replacement Surgery
Try to take your pain medication as soon as you begin to feel pain. Don’t wait until the pain becomes severe. Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Remember to take your pain medication before activity and bedtime.
If you need to have stitches or staples removed and you’re still taking pain medications, be sure to have a friend or family member drive you to your appointment.
Pain medication may cause nausea. If this happens, decrease the amount you are taking or stop and contact your surgeons office.
If you need additional pain medication, please contact your surgeons office. Give at least a few days advance notice before you run out of the medication. Please plan ahead, especially for holiday weekends.
Also remember:
- You aren’t permitted to drive a car while taking narcotic pain medication.
- It may take several days to have a bowel movement. Anesthesia and pain medication often cause constipation. Drink plenty of fluids and eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A stool softener or laxative can help bowel function return to normal.
- Don’t hesitate to call your surgeons office with any questions or concerns.
Incision care
Walker, crutches, cane
Use your assistive devices for balance as instructed by your surgeon or therapist. By your first post-op visit with your surgeon, you may have already improved and changed from using a walker or crutches to a cane .
Do Your Feet Swell After Knee Replacement
Yes, as a physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of patients following a total knee replacement surgery, I can tell you that significant swelling on the surgical lower extremity down into the foot and ankle is extremely common.
I often recommend my patients utilize an active recovery to minimize the swelling. Then between exercise sessions, I recommend my clients utilize compression stockings or socks to reduce swelling while resting.
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Problems Related To The Knee Area
A total of 49% of the patients reported problems related to the knee area and of these 19 patients experienced more than one problem. The problems reported were swelling, feeling of laxity and numbness. Twenty-seven patients complained of laxity in the knee and 19 reported swelling of the joint. Twenty-two patients reported numbness in the knee area. The complications were also temporary and disappeared after 24 weeks in most patients. At the 3-month follow-up, five patients still complained of swelling, feeling of laxity and numbness in the knee. All these patients had a previous injury to the knee joint. There were no significant differences regarding the patient reported average pain of 3.3 on the VAS-scale where 49 patients recalled the worst pain in the knee area within the first 10 days post-operatively. Thirteen of the patients reported a score of> 4 on the VAS-scale.
Allowing The Body To Prevent Edema For Us
Another common reason for leg swelling after surgery is dependent edema. Patients after surgery often do not move as much as they would otherwise. In fact, many of them sit around for hours with their legs dangling. So there is at least some overlap with the causes for swollen feet after sitting. Getting up, when possible, and encouraging movement should address this as well.
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How Much Swelling Is Normal After Hip Surgery
Why is my knee swollen after hip replacement? Resume activity as you gain strength and confidence, same thing: There wasnt much swelling.Genetic defects Chromosomes can be damaged by wear debris from hip replacement metals,000 people in the U.S, elevate the leg above the level of your heart (place pillows under the calf, calf, Perform the exercises we give you and walk around your house as much as you feel like you can, total hip replacement swelling, Ice the hip frequently for the first two to three weeks after surgery, some months on have a look at the you tube video of a hip replacement, Leg swelling may be also caused by the slow venous blood circulation when the patient hangs his/her legs many times, This can help stabilize your hip at night, resting 20 seconds between sets, This will generally get better, there are ways to lessenYour focus for the first couple weeks after surgery should be on swelling management and walking, If this occurs, Remember that swelling in your thigh, so that now my legs are the same length and i also now have normal external hip rotation.Repeat 8-12 times, You should feel the stretch in front of the thigh and hip.
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
The diagnosis and management of popliteal artery aneurysms require careful clinical acumen combined with diagnostic workup, including duplex ultrasound imaging and, at times, CT Angiography to better define the anatomy and determine the need for and options for repair. Multiple specialties collaborate to obtain the best patient outcomes, including emergency room physicians, primary care, internal medicine, radiology, and vascular surgery specialists. It is important that these aneurysms are diagnosed early and are not allowed to enlarge because of the risk of thrombosis and limb loss. It has been suggested that repair of larger aneurysms, performed either via open or endovascular approach, have poorer bypass patency rates when compared to smaller lesions. Furthermore, certain risk factors such as a PAA measuring > 20mm in diameter, presence of luminal thrombus, or atrial fibrillation may demonstrate greater diameter expansion and more rapid enlargement. A shorter interval of ultrasound interrogation should be considered if these factors are present.
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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.
Dos And Don’ts To Protect Your New Hip
Dos and don’ts vary depending on your doctor’s surgical technique and preferences. Your doctor and physical therapist will provide you with a list of dos and don’ts to remember with your new hip. These precautions will help to prevent the new joint from dislocating and ensure proper healing. Some of the most common precautions are listed below. Ask your doctor if these precautions apply to you.
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A Few Words On Fluid Retention During Surgery
Honestly, perioperative fluid management is a very broad and complicated topic. But, in practice, the most common cause for edema after surgery is too much fluid in the body. There are three basic causes for this. The first, is that patients receive fluids during surgery. Sometimes that fluid flows at a high rate. This means that a lot of fluid can enter the body, even during a short surgical procedure. Second, is third spacing. Surgery involves injury, and injury results in inflammation. the inflammatory response to major surgery includes capillary leak. Fluid leaks out of the capillaries and into the adjacent tissue. Finally, some patients do not get rid of the fluid rapidly enough after the operation is over. This is especially true for patients who do not move around much after surgery.
Why Is It Important To Decrease Swelling After Surgery
The first few weeks after surgery are critical for recovery, and you should carefully follow your treatment providers instructions to minimize the risk of further injury. Taking steps to reduce inflammation can speed up recovery of the affected area and give your body the boost it needs to avoid complications, such as:
- Deep vein thrombosis
While the risks associated with surgery to your feet are generally low, complications such as a blood clot can lead to serious problems. Follow the advice below to reduce ankle and foot swelling, but always speak to your health care practitioner before attempting anything not included in your recovery plan.
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Problems In The Groin Area
A total of 32% of the patients reported problems in the groin area and of these 12 patients reported more than one problem. Fourteen patients experienced swelling/hematoma in the groin area. Ten patients reported scratches/lacerations on the labia or the scrotum. Twenty-two patients experienced numbness in the groin area. The problems were temporary and disappeared typically within 24 weeks. Three patients still experienced numbness in the groin area after two months. The 32 patients reporting problems reported an average pain of 2.6 on the VAS-scale when recalling the worst pain in the groin area within the first 10 days post-operatively. Seven of the patients reported a score> 4 on the VAS-scale. There were no significant differences regarding gender .
Ankle Pumping For Circulation
Do these exercises to strengthen your muscles.How often: 2 to 3 times a day
Do 10 repetitions of each exercise. If you are comfortable with the exercises, gradually increase the number of repetitions until you reach 20 repetitions.
Do your exercises lying down for the most comfort. Your bed is an excellent place to do your exercises.
Do your exercises lying down for the most comfort. Your bed is an excellent place to do your exercises.
Ankle pumps
Pump your feet up and down by pulling your feet up toward you, then pushing your feet down away from you.
Thigh squeezes
Tighten the muscles on the top of your thigh by pushing the back of your knee down into the bed. Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Buttock squeezes
Tighten your buttocks muscles by squeezing the muscles together. Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Heel slides
Bend your surgical hip and knee by sliding your heel up toward your buttocks while keeping your heel on the bed. Slide your heel back down to the starting position and relax. Keep your kneecap pointed up toward the ceiling during the exercise. You may want to use a plastic bag under your heel to help it slide easier.
Leg slides
Slide your surgical leg out to the side, keeping your kneecap pointed up toward the ceiling. Slide your leg back to the starting position. You may want to use a plastic bag under your heel to help it slide easier.
Lying kicks
Straight leg raises
Sitting kicks
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Benign Swelling After Hip Replacement
Theres not much you can do about hip swelling, says Dr. Bergin. You really cant elevate the hip like you can the knee.
If you notice increased swelling at the end of a day, then perhaps take it easy the next day.
Dr. Berginis a general orthopedist, surgically and conservatively treating all manner of bone and joint conditions. She enjoys educating patients so they can emerge stronger than they were before their orthopedic injury or surgery.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. Shes also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Why Does The Ankle Swell After Knee Surgery
The most common reason for increased swelling in the foot and ankle after knee surgery is due to the drainage from the surgical site. Other factors that increase swelling in the Foot and Ankle include lack of walking, decrease overall activity, and immune-associated physiologic responses in the body.
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How Can I Reduce Swelling In My Legs After Hip Replacement
You may also have mild to moderate swelling for 3 to 6 months after surgery. To reduce swelling, elevate your leg slightly and apply ice. Wearing compression stockings may also help reduce swelling. Notify your doctor if you experience new or severe swelling, since this may be the warning sign of a blood clot.
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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Apply An Ice Pack At Regular Intervals
Cold therapy with ice packs helps restrict excessive blood flow by constricting the blood vessels leading from your legs to your feet, which in turn brings swelling down. Always wrap cold items in a towel or tissue, and only maintain contact between the compress and your body for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
Apply cold compresses three to four times a day to reduce swelling, and leave at least an hour between cold therapy sessions to prevent skin damage. Avoid using heat therapy on your feet and ankles as it can increase inflammation.
Cold therapy is most effective in treating an injury thats less than a few days old.
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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Results Of The Interviews
The interviews showed that the patients experienced a lack of information regarding problems, duration of the problems and how to manage them. They also expressed a need for a dialogue about these problems with the health care staff. Patients developed their own strategies for managing these problems. The expectations regarding possible traction-related problems did not match what the patients actually experienced. A summary of patients experience of problems is shown in .