Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with an artificial joint or prosthesis. The prosthesis is generally made of metal, ceramic, and very hard plastic.
After hip replacement surgery, it is common to experience knee and ankle pain due to changes in the length of your leg, swelling, bruising, and nerve damage.
When should I worry about knee and ankle pain after a hip replacement?
Most knee and ankle pain resolves on its own and can be relieved with rest and pain medications. In some cases, however, knee and ankle pain could be a sign of a serious complication such as a blood clot in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis). This requires urgent medical intervention because it can cause potentially fatal complications, such as blood clots in the lungs or pulmonary embolism.
Contact your doctor right away if your knee or ankle pain is associated with any of the following symptoms:
- Changes in the color of the skin on the legs (red or purple)
- Leg swelling that does not subside even when the leg is elevated
- Bumps or sores on the legs
- Warm skin over the legs
- Leg pain, cramps, or soreness
- Discharge from the incision site
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Dizziness or confusion
What is the most frequent complication of hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is a relatively safe and effective procedure. Studies show that over 95% of people report improvement in hip pain after hip replacement surgery.
Despite a high success rate, however, complications can occur in rare cases and can cause persistent pain or require repeated surgery. Some of the complications of hip replacement surgery include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Changes in leg length
- Loosening or wear and tear of the prosthesis
What is the average recovery time for hip replacement surgery?
Pain associated with a hip replacement generally goes away within 2-4 weeks after surgery with proper postoperative care. Most people can go home the same or the next day after surgery.
- The incision is typically small and may heal completely within 6 weeks.
- Desk jobs could be resumed in about 2 weeks after surgery.
- Physically demanding jobs or sports could be postponed for about 6 weeks.
The recovery time after a hip replacement surgery, however, depends on various factors, such as:
- Age and general health
- Activity levels before and after the surgery
- The severity of pain before the surgery
- Presence of underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
- Postoperative care including physical therapy
How to manage pain after hip replacement surgery
In most cases, pain after hip replacement surgery can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications and physical therapy. Some people may require prescription-strength medications or other strategies to manage pain.
Management may include the following:
- Medications to manage pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or narcotic pain medications (in case of severe pain)
- Physical therapy to improve muscle strength and flexibility and prevent complications such as blood clots and stiffness
- Leg elevation and ice packs to help with pain and swelling
- Nerve block to relieve pain in severe cases (blocks the pain signals carried by nerves from the affected site)
- Surgery may be required in people who do not benefit from conservative treatment
QUESTION
Medically speaking, the term "myalgia" refers to what type of pain? See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Mayo Clinic Study Finds Nerve Damage After Hip Surgery May Be Due to Inflammation. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-finds-nerve-damage-after-hip-surgery-may-be-due-to-inflammation/
Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery FAQs. https://www.hss.edu/conditions_hip-knee-replacement-surgery-faqs.asp
Bursitis: Treatments for Hip, Knee Shoulder and More. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_pictures_bursitis_treatment/article_em.htm
Top Knee and Ankle Pain After Hip Replacement Related Articles
7 Reasons You Are Tired After Surgery
Postsurgical fatigue is normal and is due to a variety of factors. Depression, stress, and anxiety may produce fatigue. Sleep deficits, certain medications, anemia, blood loss, fasting, and loss of electrolytes and minerals associated with surgery can also produce fatigue. Exercise, physical exertion, aging, and the overall health status of patients are additional factors that play a role in making people feel tired after surgery.
Ankle Pain (Tendonitis)
Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within 24 hours) to severe (which can require surgical repair). Tendinitis of the ankle can be caused by trauma or inflammation.
Arthritis: Ways to Ease Hip Pain
Health habits, home remedies, and other ways you can find relief when your hips hurt.
Hip Pain
Arthritis, bursitis, IT band syndrome, fracture, and strain are just some of the causes of hip pain. Associated symptoms and signs include swelling, tenderness, difficulty sleeping on the hip, and loss of range of motion of the hip. Treatment depends upon the cause of the hip pain but may include anti-inflammatory medications and icing and resting the hip joint.
How Do I Know If My Knee Pain Is Serious?
Some knee pain may subside with adequate rest and other physical therapies, which can be done at home; however, knee pain that doesn’t dissolve easily with rest should be considered serious and requires medical attention. Knee pain is the most common complaint of the musculoskeletal system.
Knee Pain: 8 Exercises to Help Your Knees
Getting over a knee injury? WebMD shows you moves that can help make you stronger, so you're less likely to get re-injured.
Knee Pain
Acute injuries, medical conditions, and chronic use conditions are causes of knee pain. Symptoms and signs that accompany knee pain include redness, swelling, difficulty walking, and locking of the knee. To diagnose knee pain, a physician will perform a physical exam and also may order X-rays, arthrocentesis, blood tests, or a CT scan or MRI. Treatment of knee pain depends upon the cause of the pain.
Osteoarthritis: Guide to Hip Replacement
Ready for a hip replacement? Find out what to expect, from the day of hip surgery until months after your hip replacement.
Knee Pain Dos and Don'ts
Your knees go through a lot in the course of a day, and sometimes they can run into trouble. Here are a few things you can do when knee pain hits.
Questions To Ask Before Surgery
Surgery is the branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or injury. Prior to surgery you might consider asking your surgeon questions about the operation (procedure).
Total Hip Replacement
During total hip replacement, diseased hip cartilage and bone is replaced with artificial materials. Risks of the surgery include blood clots in the lower extremities, difficulty with urination, infection, bone fracture, scarring, limited range of motion, and prosthesis failure.
What Is a Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip arthroplasty is also called hip replacement surgery. The hip consists of a ball (femoral head) that fits into a socket (acetabulum). The joint capsule and surrounding ligaments and muscles provide stability to the joint. Hip arthroplasty surgery involves the removal of damaged parts of the hip joint and replacing them with parts constructed with metal, ceramic and very hard plastic.