Ankle after hip replacement due to RA

[Nana246]

Hi there 😊 I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I had hip replacement late January and since then the ankle on the operation side has been increasingly achy and a bit swollen. Also the foot turns in which it didn’t do before. My RA flared after the operation and Humira was added to my Metho and hydroxy. Also on pred til the Humira kicks in. The flare has settled but the ankle is slowly getting a bit worse. I do have osteoarthritis in other spots but not sure if this is related. I have mentioned the ankle to surgeon and Will mention it again at next checkup appointment in a week. Just wondering if anyone has had anything similar 😊

[Downtime]

A friend had a very similar thing after a hip replacement. The ankle turned in a bit and was painful. She made an effort to walk normally and it did resolve itself quite quickly. I think it was because when her hip was bad she had changed her gait and it took a while to normalise it it once she had the new one. She walks miles now so don’t get disheartened and definitely mention it at your check up.

[Nana246 in reply to Downtime]

Thanks so much for that. 😊Makes sense and makes me feel like it may resolve itself. Every thing else feels so much better at the moment I couldn’t believe it he ankle. Thankyou

[vonniesims]

I wonder if the physio could help.

[helixhelix]

what does your physio say?

[Nana246 in reply to helixhelix]

I have been seeing a physio and going to exercise classes. Physio thinks muscles around the hip still healing and that it be affecting my ankle. It makes sense that my gait has changed since the op as I could hardly walk any distance beforehand.

[Runrig01]

it is most likely due to your gait changing following the surgery. For a while you would have been taking most of the weight through the other leg, which would weaken the ankle your limiting weight through. If you see a physio mention to them, as they can give you exercises to strengthen it. It may also be due to swelling or bruising from the surgery.

[Nana246 in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks sounds like you are right. 😊

[Nana246]

Thanks everyone. Your comments have made me feel better about it. I actually feel the best I have in two years so shouldn’t be complaining 😊

[Niconn]

I had quite bad leg and hip pain due to my over pronation (flat feet) your gait can certainly cause a lot of problems if you favour one side over another ( likely after your hip op) or roll over a little on feet while walking . Once you are walking properly again, and as balanced as your physio can get you, it may resolve itself, or you may just need orthotic insoles. I wish you well in your recovery

[Nana246 in reply to Niconn]

thankyou 😊

[Ghugs]

Humira is great and should kick in quickly. You may be able to drop the other meds once it does ...as i have done. I have been relatively pain free now fir a few years with just the fortnightly injection. Good luck.

[Nana246 in reply to Ghugs]

Thanks sounds great. Would be nice to drop some of the drugs 😊

[Hiplucy]

After my hip replacement in October 2019, my ankle on the operated side turned in quite dramatically. My surgeon told me to make a conscious effort to straighten it. I can remember sitting in my recliner and staring at that darned thing and working so hard to turn it outward. It took a long time, but today it's perfect. My recovery was slow, and I got discouraged, but now I'm good as new. You will be too.

[Nana246 in reply to Hiplucy]

thankyou that exactly describes my ankle. While in hospital after the operation one doc noticed it and asked if the ankle was always turned in like that. Yes I sat and looked at it too😊. Must say in the last week or so it has virtually stopped aching and isn’t looking so bad so I think I’m on the mend. My hip has recovered really well too. Thankyou.