swolllen ankles / feet

User

Posted 17 May 2025 at 13:34

Hi everyone this is my first post here after lurking for 18 months.

I had my prostate removed by the robotic procedure 20 days ago, catheter removed 6 days ago, I feel like Im doing well with everything, except I have been getting swollen ankles and feet, my right foot seems to be affected more than the left, is this anything to be worried about? it seems to go down during the day when I am more upright and mobile, I have tried calling the hospital but its sat today and I cant get a response from any of them.

I have been sleeping in a semi sitting position as I find it to be the most comfortable at the moment

User

Posted 18 May 2025 at 07:37

Your body has had a major trauma and will take time to heal. Keep walking during the day and try sleeping flat or even raise the foot of your bed a bit.

If it persists tell the docs...

User

Posted 18 May 2025 at 07:58

Hello mate and welcome to the forum.

I'm not medically trained but cannot recall anyone else suffering with swollen ankles and feet following surgery. In fact, most of us complain of 'things' that should swell but no longer do, after the op. 😁

Joking apart, you're obviously suffering, and I'd seek medical advice. I'm glad that everything else is going okay.

Oh, I've just remembered. I'm pretty sure that I was supposed to wear surgical stockings for a while after surgery. Presumably these aid blood flow to the legs? So maybe there maybe a link with your feet swelling and the op?

User

Posted 18 May 2025 at 20:24

If you had pelvic lymph nodes removed when you had your RARP then it is possible it could be lymphoedema. Probably unlikely as I believe lymphoedema causes the whole leg to swell.

User

Posted 22 May 2025 at 08:49

Hello,

I was the same as Adrian where I had to wear surgical stockings for a month after surgery, along with a daily self-administered injection of heparin, (anti-clotting), after RARP. The only swelling after surgery was in the pubic area.....but not including one's todger! ☹️

I cannot say the same for the Prostap3 injections. (I'm on my fifth one). Calfs & ankles mostly affected, aching joints and slight swelling of hands/wrists. No todger-swelling to report though. Boo! (I'm on 25mg of Sildenafil (Viagra) daily).

My onco support nurse said that this was a common side-effect, and told me to keep my legs elevated as much as is practical. Hard to do when you have a really physical job on a drilling rig.

User

Posted 23 May 2025 at 07:44

Hi Everyone, thanks to all that replied to my post, I though I would post an update, I decided to go back to sleeping in the normal sleeping position, and the swelling started to go down immediately, it was back to normal in 4 days and Ive not had an issue since, so it looks like, blood wasn't flowing properly because of my sleeping position, and lack of movement.

Anyway thanks again for your input, this really is a great community, take care all.

User

Posted 23 May 2025 at 08:04

It's unlikely to be blood (you would have got a DVT), and more likely to be fluid retention.

It's good to keep your feet elevated when you're sitting for a while, e.g. asleep or in front of the TV. If you only do this at night, then you are going to find you need to pee that fluid out at night. It will also reduce the risk of DVT, which is particularly high for a month after any operation.

It would also be worth mentioning this to your GP. It might be that you would benefit from a diuretic during the day.

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