Leg swelling is a common and expected part of recovery after hip replacement surgery. While normal, it can be uncomfortable. Understanding how to manage this swelling is an important part of the post-operative journey.
Understanding Swelling After Hip Replacement
Leg swelling after hip replacement surgery is a natural inflammatory response. Tissues are disrupted during the procedure, increasing blood flow and immune cell activity at the surgical site. This influx of fluid accumulates, causing visible swelling, especially in the leg due to gravity. Reduced mobility after surgery also slows circulation, allowing fluid to pool. Swelling typically peaks within days and gradually diminishes over weeks or months.
Immediate Steps for Reducing Swelling
Immediately following hip replacement, several interventions can help reduce leg swelling. Elevating the affected leg above heart level promotes fluid drainage. This can be done by lying flat and placing the foot on three to four pillows for 20-30 minutes, several times a day. Applying ice packs to the surgical area helps decrease swelling and manage pain by constricting blood vessels. Apply ice for 10-15 minutes hourly or 20-30 minutes, 3-7 times daily, ensuring a thin barrier between ice and skin.
Compression stockings reduce swelling by applying gentle pressure, helping return fluid to circulation. Use them as advised by a medical professional for proper fit and effectiveness. Gentle, prescribed movements, such as ankle pumps, stimulate circulation and prevent fluid stagnation. Perform these simple exercises hourly while awake to help muscles pump fluid out of the leg.
Ongoing Strategies for Swelling Management
Ongoing management of leg swelling involves balancing activity and rest. Gradually increasing physical activity, as advised by your medical team, improves circulation and muscle strength, reducing fluid accumulation. Avoid prolonged standing or sitting, especially for the first 7-10 days; move or elevate your leg after 45-60 minutes of sitting. Adequate hydration also supports recovery by transporting nutrients and maintaining proper circulation.
A balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals supports tissue repair and reduces inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, also help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Adhere to prescribed pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications as directed by a healthcare provider. Consistent physical therapy exercises are important to improve muscle strength and circulation, facilitating fluid reduction and promoting overall healing.
When to Contact Your Doctor
While some leg swelling is normal after hip replacement, certain signs require immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor for a sudden, significant increase in swelling, or if one leg is considerably more swollen than the other. Other concerning symptoms include severe pain not relieved by medication, increasing redness, warmth, or tenderness around the surgical site or in the leg. Fever or chills accompanying swelling also warrant prompt medical evaluation.
Signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) include persistent pain, cramping, tenderness, warmth, or redness, often in one leg. If you experience these symptoms, or any discharge from the incision site, contact your surgeon without delay. Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which could indicate a pulmonary embolism, requires immediate emergency medical care.