Hello, All,

I have LTHR in March 2023. Within the first week, I had excruciating nerve pain around left knee, so bad that even if the sheet touched there, it was on fire. I was assured it would resolve in a few months. Well, it is now July 2024 and it is not fully resolved, but I suppose the "good news" is that it is "only" numb with some nerve pain on contact above the knee. Ortho said 18 months should resolve but will be left with numbness. Ok

Now as to the ankle swelling. I could not see the back of my body after surgery but my sister helped me shower and said the back of my left thigh looked black and blue. She took photos, and indeed black and blue. Although my ankle did not seem to swell, I have purple veins around the left ankle area, and the color of my left leg looks different than the right (the left is kind of "bluish" looking). At last appointment in March (1 year) with ortho, he casually said those symptoms were venous but did not seem concerned.
This THR is very serious stuff, and sometime you swap the witch for the devil. Now my right hip has begun hurting in past week, and I already know where that is heading. It is painful during certain movements (OUCH), but I am going to try to delay THR until worsens because I dread going through this again. I've started taking Meloxicam, think it helps pain some and continue to do exercises and walk. Movement is always the best thing to do.
BTW, it was about 4 months before I could tolerate getting in the car to drive and had to sell my sweet convertible and purchase a higher vehicle SUV, works better now. I am thankful that the left THR - structurally - seems stable and sound (X-rays ortho says perfect).
I am 76, and I believe age certainly makes a big difference as well as so many other factors. My sister age 74 had a THR last fall (at Steadman in CO) and she was on an airplane within a month and has sprung back into action. But she was a yoga addict for the past 25 years, is an amazing cook all fresh foods, so she was in much better shape than I.
Well, it is what it is. On this second THR, I am considering a change in ortho but again may do the swap to worse and that make me fearful. My mom used to say with good humor but truthfully, "gettin' old is hell." It sure ain't no picnic. smile
I feel for all the older people who undergo these surgeries.