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Incision Site Lumpy and swollen after bandage removed (THR Anterior)

Posted by vivuscraig @vivuscraig, Jun 7, 2022

I had my bandage removed two weeks after I had my right hip replaced. I have been progressing nicely. When the bandage was removed, everything looked fine. This evening, after a walk, I noticed there was swelling and a lumpiness in the wound area which wasn't present when they took the bandage off this morning.

Is this anything to be concerned about?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 8, 2022

Well, if you are out walking, it sounds like your recovery is going great. Congratulations on getting active right away.
This incision appearance sounds like the normal healing process to me.
When they removed the bandage and stitches, did they give you a list of things to watch for?
Usually these are:
Wound opening/bleeding
Redness & new tenderness - especially with fever (possible sign of infection)
Weeping or oozing, other than small amounts of clear or blood-tinged fluid

Otherwise, remember that your body has been assaulted, and some swelling and tissue irregularity is to be expected.
If you are really concerned by any worsening symptoms, you can always call the surgeon's staff.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
vivuscraig | @vivuscraig | Jun 9, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Well, if you are out walking, it sounds like your recovery is going great. Congratulations on..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well, if you are out walking, it sounds like your recovery is going great. Congratulations on getting active right away.
This incision appearance sounds like the normal healing process to me.
When they removed the bandage and stitches, did they give you a list of things to watch for?
Usually these are:
Wound opening/bleeding
Redness & new tenderness - especially with fever (possible sign of infection)
Weeping or oozing, other than small amounts of clear or blood-tinged fluid

Otherwise, remember that your body has been assaulted, and some swelling and tissue irregularity is to be expected.
If you are really concerned by any worsening symptoms, you can always call the surgeon's staff.
Sue

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Thanks Sue, that is reassuring. No, the staff didn't say anything about the wound after they took the bandage off other than it looked good.

Appreciate your insights.
Craig

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 25, 2022
In reply to @vivuscraig "Thanks Sue, that is reassuring. No, the staff didn't say anything about the wound after they..." + (show)
@vivuscraig

Thanks Sue, that is reassuring. No, the staff didn't say anything about the wound after they took the bandage off other than it looked good.

Appreciate your insights.
Craig

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Craig, how’s the healing going?

REPLY
1 reply
vivuscraig | @vivuscraig | Jun 25, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Craig, how’s the healing going?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

Craig, how’s the healing going?

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Thanks Sue for checking in. I am about 4.5 weeks. Still some swelling at the wound and surrounding area. I am applying ice now mostly after activity. I am walking well. Today, I walked 2 miles. I have done some cycling as well. I had my last Physical Therapy appointment yesterday. Won't see my doctor for about 3 weeks yet but I think I am doing well.

I do feel I have a while to go. I have lowered myself to the ground a few times to get things and feel weakness in my hip. The good news is that my right hip doesn't hurt anymore while walking, only my left. I think I will need the left done in the not too distant future. 🙂

Thanks so much for your interest.
Craig

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 25, 2022
In reply to @vivuscraig "Thanks Sue for checking in. I am about 4.5 weeks. Still some swelling at the wound..." + (show)
@vivuscraig

Thanks Sue for checking in. I am about 4.5 weeks. Still some swelling at the wound and surrounding area. I am applying ice now mostly after activity. I am walking well. Today, I walked 2 miles. I have done some cycling as well. I had my last Physical Therapy appointment yesterday. Won't see my doctor for about 3 weeks yet but I think I am doing well.

I do feel I have a while to go. I have lowered myself to the ground a few times to get things and feel weakness in my hip. The good news is that my right hip doesn't hurt anymore while walking, only my left. I think I will need the left done in the not too distant future. 🙂

Thanks so much for your interest.
Craig

Jump to this post

That's great progress Craig. Be cautious about the getting up, that joint us still a bit vulnerable. No matter how tough we feel, healing takes its own time.
Now that you know how good it is to lose the pain, will you schedule the other hip?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
vivuscraig | @vivuscraig | Jun 26, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "That's great progress Craig. Be cautious about the getting up, that joint us still a bit..." + (show)
@sueinmn

That's great progress Craig. Be cautious about the getting up, that joint us still a bit vulnerable. No matter how tough we feel, healing takes its own time.
Now that you know how good it is to lose the pain, will you schedule the other hip?
Sue

Jump to this post

Yea, thanks Sue. Any non-normal hip twisting is a red flag for me. I will wait on that for a few weeks. 🙂

Yes, I will be scheduling the other side to be done. Just need to work it in to life. The healing process is a huge commitment. It requires a large block of time. Thankfully, my left is not near as bad as my right. The right was debilitating so I have a little time to figure that.

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