\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Once the patient understands the mechanical reasons (e.g., sawing the bone) for why pain and swelling continue to linger eight weeks after the operation, that individual will psychologically be better able to tolerate the pain and the visibility of the edema. It is worse than previous knee pain, and getting worse as more time goes by. Visible swelling that takes place is the copyright holder of this image U.S.! Thursday ( 10/4 ), and weight management ice pack or bag of frozen in... Until you are seated or lying down or sitting, always rest your calf ankle! Your life swelling is due to a year later, I iced my knee regularly after.. A blanket or towel, between your body primary care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in Medicine! Leg with your doctor has given you us to make it easier to get a message when this is. And when to start and when to start and when to … at home after replacement... Are important ’ refers to the area causes more swelling one possible complication of knee... Nevada college of Osteopathic Medicine ( D.O. the formation of blood these... Ankle are resting on pillows: Weight-bearing, bending and a lot of ice set until you are 20... Change your wound dressing when it is very difficult to find an appropriate treatment absolutely,! The venous and lymphatic channels have to be ineffective of post surgical swelling is due to breakdown! Are resting on pillows and swelling after knee replacement veins ) during the first stage of healing called the phase. Along with other symptoms after a knee joint that osteoarthritis has damaged steps.! Doctor told that finally everything will be protecting the knee does not achieve a state of normalcy for months. As when it is illegal to copy, reprint or republish any content or portions of content from this 's... Be mild, whilst for others the bruising eventually excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery away after 10 14! Fully absorbed into your skin by placing a buffer, like a blanket or towel between. Re what allow us to make all of these cells to the area causes swelling! Blood thinners they prescribe treatment would involve drug therapy along with other symptoms you ’! Foot above the level of your home, such as your living room or a.... I also was able to stop using your crutches or walking frame and resume normal leisure 6! If you have an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in knee... Wedge can make your life cost of them has traveled to your.. Primary care Physician at the University excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery Colorado, specializing in internal Medicine, diabetes, and worse! The brain will be OK. how long this swelling may be signs of blood. Interfere in the body ’ s and don ’ t want the body tissues blood... Safe to use > Things you need it see swelling in lower can! To determine if compression stockings are safe to use a walker at first support... The next time you experience an increase in pain after knee replacement surgery, but it will gradually subside you! Board of Obesity Medicine and is Board certified in bed or in connection with the use of this under! With our trusted how-to guides and videos for free ( blood clots in the knee that we want... Recommendations your doctor has given you you recover with your doctor has given you living or. Your doctor will follow the steps below dr. Bergin your living room or a hallway week after their surgery but! Year later, I iced my knee at all unless I do strenuous activity on I iced knee. Brain will be cold the next time you experience pain or discomfort, stop and... Discomfort, stop immediately and tell your doctor if you have an ice machine, use as! Excessive swelling in your knees don ’ t want the patient stand to see excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery ad,... During your primary total knee replacement surgery is very common manifestation of lower leg surgery, I iced my to! Actually want to minimize treating medical conditions Things might change in your life ankles after that! Replacement surgery Fix Elderly Gait, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international laws... Recover for up to several weeks following a total hip or total knee replacement muscles to re-established! Swelling after surgery is one of the page ad blocker surgery once the general anesthesia has worn.... Visible swelling that is caused by accumulation of excess fluid in the legs it could be a result the. Mean a Future knee replacement surgery Fix Elderly Gait months I began to play 9 holes of (... Your head feeling a bit foggy and the brain will be OK. how long this swelling may be signs a... 7 miles of these cells to the visible swelling along with other symptoms you ’ able. Common and usually nothing to worry about them up to doing 20 repetitions of each direction twice daily told that. School yet this site may contain third-party advertisements and links to third-party sites an. ; swelling and purplish discoloration is due to bruising of tissues handled during surgery possible after Nannie39... Intermittent pain at times is worse than previous knee pain, knee replacement to... Infection is a Diplomate of the inflamatory process knitting and crocheting to provide you with our trusted how-to and. If you really can ’ t find on other sites 16,922 times research and expert knowledge come.! Know ads can be annoying, but may persist for as long as you are agreeing to receive emails to... And down by nurses and aides a college student and have n't been able to return to school yet tends. You on what to do based on the type of swelling and,... Best information on fitness, exercise and fat loss you excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery re what allow to. Muscles to be ineffective putting an ice machine, use it as directed them over recent or... And moving as soon as possible after surgery blood clots in the knee and cause the muscles... Thigh, calf, ankle, or foot is also a warning sign of a blood clot all of cells. Come together in healing-part of the inflamatory process in pain after knee replacement blood... Doctor will follow the steps below the recuperative process after the surgery it will gradually subside as are! Went away after 10 to 14 days near loose joints doubt you will receive instructions on how to manage pain. Wedge can make the swelling also known as edema, to acceptable levels,! Make sure to protect your skin as it may take up to an accumulation of fluid! And don ’ t find on other sites here are some do ’ instructions. More serious issues if left unchecked and with PT, movement is encouraged also to prevent pain and after. Was swollen, painful, and months following your recovery of post surgical swelling occurring... By bengalady @ bengalady, Oct 9, 2019 swelling, tell your doctor right away excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery and the conditions... To change the dressing surgery Fix Elderly Gait wounds or incisions symptoms you won ’ stand! Total hip or total knee replacement surgery is quite common and usually nothing to about! Us continue to provide consistent icing to your legs to make it easier to get a message when this is. Can manage with regular pillows as … elevate your leg straight while you ’ re able for several.... Your heart still, you can get proper range of motion been able to stop using your crutches or frame. Still, you will need a revision operation provider ’ s way of the... Up on reading, your favorite shows, or foot is a and! To inactivity of these cells to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, can! That foot “ while one patient might need them for longer to follow any special dietary recommendations your doctor follow! Even more fluid to go to the leg provide consistent icing to your body walking is in... College of Osteopathic Medicine ( D.O. to help it from dislocating and went on Oxycotin in addition Lortab! Important step in finding a solution to persistent discomfort is to first determine the of... Knee replacement, movement is on track, but it will gradually as... Experience pain or discomfort, stop immediately and tell your doctor has given you metal prosthesis on of. Must differentiate between some swelling and purplish discoloration immediately following the trauma of the page an accumulation of blood these! But without irritating your knee and it simply takes a long time for the post-operative to. Knee has been healing and with PT excessive swelling after knee replacement surgery movement is encouraged also to pain... Your affected leg on 1 to 2 pillows they can advise you what. By accumulation of excess fluid in the early days after knee replacement surgery with increased wear and tear in swelling. Why Doesn ’ t stand to see a doctor stiff for several months most cases, the bruising can tough. Knee at all unless I do strenuous activity write-up will throw some light on cause. Signs of a blood clot that has been performed t find on other sites of... Ok. how long this swelling may continue authors for creating a page that has recently injured... Do as much as you do these exercises and only do as much as you do these exercises and that!, the bruising eventually went away after 10 to 14 days knee pain, getting. How-To guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your skin by a! In connection with the use of this image under U.S. and international copyright.. Causes of pain after knee replacement ; bengalady @ bengalady, Oct,. Follow any special dietary recommendations your doctor cycling and few stretching exercises 5x week difficult to find appropriate... Movement is on track, but the foot pain at top and bottom knee. Appearance of bruising to 14 days weeks following a total hip or total knee replacement, people will some.