2nd Hip Replacement Swelling worse than first hip replacement

@vivuscraig Aah, one of the great mysteries of surgical experiences. After 5 hip surgeries and quite a few others, I can tell you this is quite typical.
No two surgeries are the same. Surgery is an assault on the body, and how your body responds each time is a function of many factors - whether your overall health is the same, what the surgeon found (more or less difficult surgery), length of the surgery, etc. I had a lot more swelling after my second hip surgery than the first - the PA said it was because my surgeries were "too close together" (8 weeks) and therefore my body reacted differently.

It sounds like there is more lymphatic fluid in your tissue than last time - this means your immune system has reacted to the surgery by recruiting resources to help cleanse the area - of surgical debris, old blood, etc. The added pain could be a result of the swelling or of a more difficult surgery (more sawing & pounding to get the implants exactly right.)

You could try a little gentle massage of the area to help move the fluid so your kidneys can eliminate it. I also found that drinking more water and moving as much as possible helped.

Have you talked to the doc or their staff?
Sue

Thanks so much Sue, that is very reassuring. I do have a portal I can communicate with my doctor. His response to my concern was that "some swelling is normal after surgery. " He advised to that it could be from over doing activity. He also advised icing it.

I have been walking and I do ice it with feet elevated which is what I am doing now. 🙂 I am unable to move about as much as I did with the last surgery because of pain and swelling.

I do appreciate you sharing your experience. It helps a lot.

Thanks,
Craig

I do have a question. Is is OK to move about even with the swelling? I was concerned that perhaps I should rest it. However, resting it makes everything very tight and immobile.

When I move about and walk around, I feel better but in the evening things really stiffen up.

This is my second hip replacement. The first was very easy. My second has been difficult. I am 10 days post surgery. My leg and knee has swollen up making it difficult to walk. They are painful. I am also having some groin pain.

Is this typical? Anything to be concerned about. My first replacement had none of these issues.

Hello @vivuscraig, You will notice that we moved your post to the previous discussion you started here so that others who were following your journey could see your latest update:
— 2nd Hip Replacement Swelling worse than first hip replacement:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/2nd-hip-replacement-swelling-worse-than-first-hip-replacement/.
Have you tried any of the suggestions mentioned by @sueinmn above to see if they would help?

I had a very successful total hip replacement by Dr Chow using the Superpath method. No pain after. No need for pain relief.

But I did develop edema in both legs (weird as it involved the non surgical leg as well). My surgeon had me go to to my Internist to treat the Edema. He has put me on water pills (Lysix). At night I use a wedge to raise my legs up over my heart (unless I kick it off during the night).

My physical therapist also works on the swelling. Seven weeks out and the swelling is now way reduced. I am wearing compression socks during the day (a suggestion from my PT).

There is a disconnect between my surgeon and my internist. My surgeon wants me to minimize walking so the bones can continue to grow around the implant. My internist wants me to move to help with the edema. I ended up compromising by doing some walking (I did a mile this morning) but using a walking stick to keep some weight off the implant and surrounding bones. Around the house I don't use the walking stick.

With edema after surgery, the fear is always blood clots and or deep vein thrombosis. Your surgeon focuses on mechanics. You should go see your internist about the edema. Mine had an ultrasound done on my legs to make sure I am okay.

I had my first hip replacement 8 days ago! I was hoping it was going to be an easy rehabilitation since I’m only 58 lol! Well everyday something else hurts. I had such swelling all the way down to my feet. I keep walking around the house with a cane or walker. I’m doing ankle pumps and some exercises the PT gave me. I have a hard time drinking a lot of water but I do believe that helps along with icing and elevation. I found a wedge type pillow online that seems to help. I go to my first post op visit so hopefully he’ll say all of this will subside!! I’m feeling a little depressed. I know I have to give it time !!!

It is not clear from your posting, is your swelling on both legs or just the operated leg? When is your post op visit? I would not delay seeing someone, especially if it is only on your implant leg. As I said above, deep vein thrombosis can be a rare but dangerous side effect.

The swelling has subsided. I am going to my appointment this Thursday, we will talk about it then.

Patience is the key! You have had major surgery - your body is protesting the insults - it will be worth it in the end!
One tip - if you are not walking around, elevate your leg. It will help with swelling and discomfort. And ice can be used wherever there is pain - ankle, foot, thigh, hip, knee, butt or back. All of those were affected at one time or another when I was healing from hip surgeries in my 50's and 60's. Now in my 70's I can garden, dance, hike - and just came in from assembling a new storage shed in my yard - got it all done myself except getting the roof on!
Hang in there.
Sue