After Care for Knee Replacement Surgery: Tips for Smooth Recovery

Knee replacement surgery can offer relief from long-standing joint pain and stiffness, often restoring a level of mobility that makes everyday activities manageable. But surgery is only the first step, since how you recover in the weeks and months that follow plays a major role in your long-term results.

Aftercare during this phase involves careful movement, consistent support, and ongoing adjustments to daily habits. Planning ahead, whether it’s preparing your home environment, coordinating help from loved ones, or understanding what to expect, can thus ease the transition from hospital to home.

Managing Pain and Swelling

Pain and swelling are common in the days after a total knee replacement surgery, but they don’t have to slow down your progress. With consistent strategies, care and close monitoring, both can be effectively managed to support your recovery.

Pain Management Strategies

In the first few days post-knee replacement surgery, pain will come from both the incision and your body’s natural healing response. When this happens, stick to the prescribed medication schedule, especially in the first 72 hours. Instead of waiting for pain to return, set alarms to stay ahead of it, including during the night. This keeps your discomfort at bay and supports your ability to take part in essential rehab exercises. Over time, as your symptoms settle, your doctor will guide you on tapering down the dosage based on how you’re recovering.

Addressing Swelling

Besides the pain, swelling is another natural part of the healing process, especially after physical activity or prolonged sitting. To manage it effectively, apply an ice pack to the knee to relieve inflammation and discomfort. Just be sure to remove the pack if you experience excessive cold, stinging, or burning.

In addition, while seated, keep your leg elevated and continue doing ankle pumps and range-of-motion exercises to promote circulation and reduce fluid buildup. If a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine was used during your hospital stay, treat it as a supplement, not a replacement, for your prescribed exercises.

Use of Compression Stockings

Compression stockings support healthy circulation during your recovery by applying firm pressure around the ankle, with gradually decreasing pressure up the leg. This helps direct blood and excess fluid upward, improving venous return and lowering the risk of clot formation. Swelling is also minimised when compression stockings are worn consistently. Be sure to wear them as prescribed and remove them only when advised to do so.

Warning Signs to Watch For

While most symptoms are part of normal healing, watch for signs that may indicate a complication:

• Swelling that worsens instead of improves
• A persistent or rising fever
• Unusual drainage or redness around the wound
• Calf pain or tightness not related to the incision

If any of these symptoms appear, contact your doctor immediately to prevent more serious issues.

Getting Around Safely

Mobility may feel uncertain at first, but with a few adjustments, moving around safely can be made manageable as your strength returns.

Mobility Aids and Transition

In the initial days following the surgery, walking aids provide stability while your knee regains strength. Most tend to use a walker for support post surgery, especially when navigating short distances or unfamiliar terrain. As confidence and balance improve, you might progress to using a walking cane. The transition is guided by your physiotherapist, who will assess your readiness at each stage. Crutches, raised toilet seats, or transfer benches may also be introduced based on your home setup and recovery speed.

Home Safety Tips

To prevent any unnecessary strain or accidents at home, clear wide pathways in all rooms, especially between the bed, bathroom, and kitchen. Remove loose rugs, wires, or clutter that could catch on your walking aid. You might also want to consider setting up a temporary rest area on the ground floor if your usual sleeping space requires you to climb up a flight of stairs. If stairs are unavoidable, practise safe techniques with your physiotherapist before leaving the hospital and stick to a once-daily trip where possible.

Smart Movement Habits

Deliberate movement will support your healing and reduce the risk of setbacks. When walking, take small, straight steps and avoid turning on your operated leg as pivoting increases the risk of strain. Your shoes should also have firm, non-slip soles to prevent slipping.

Prioritise Healthy Eating

Fueling your body with the right nutrients can support tissue repair, improve energy levels, and promote muscle recovery during post-surgery rehabilitation. So, focus on balanced meals with lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Keep well-hydrated throughout the day to help circulation and overall recovery. At the same time, try to reduce your intake of salty, heavily processed foods that can contribute to fluid retention or swelling.

Unless otherwise directed by your orthopaedic team, there are no dietary restrictions but maintaining consistent, nourishing habits can aid in rebuilding strength and resilience during your recovery phase.

Hygiene and Bathing

Maintaining good hygiene while protecting your surgical site will also be part of your daily recovery.

Caring for Incision Sites

Proper wound care is essential to support healing and prevent complications during post-knee replacement recovery. Keep the area clean and dry, unless your care team provides different instructions. When it’s time to dress, sit down and put on clothing over the operated leg first to avoid unnecessary tugging or strain.

Monitor the site daily for any signs of infection, including redness, swelling, warmth, discharge, or an unusual smell. If anything seems out of the ordinary, notify your orthopaedic specialist promptly to prevent complications.

Bathing Safely

Showering after surgery requires extra care and planning. Before doing so, always confirm with your doctor when it’s safe based on your wound closure method and dressing type. In most cases, showers are preferred over baths to prevent submerging the incision.

If you’re cleared to shower, use a chair or shower bench for added stability, and ensure the floor is dry before standing up. Protect your wound with a waterproof dressing or reinforce it with cling wrap and medical tape, only if your surgeon approves. When needed, gently clean the skin around the incision with a damp towel or wipe and avoid direct pressure on the wound itself.

Ensure Proper Care for Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

Of course, choosing the right support team plays a key role in long-term outcomes. Whether you’re seeing our orthopaedic surgeon in Novena or visiting us at Mount Alvernia, we’re here to offer the guidance you need to stay on track. We believe in a collaborative approach, between patient, caregiver, and specialist, to support your return to mobility and independence.

If you’re preparing for or recovering from surgery, our team at OrthofootMD is ready to support you through every phase. Reach out to find out how we can help make your post knee replacement journey as smooth and effective as possible.