In the hours, days, and weeks after surgery, your healthcare team — and you — will need to monitor your knee and take steps to support its healing. You may need some help at home during your initial recovery period. Care generally includes:
Postoperative Monitoring While still in the hospital, you will be monitored by staff for signs of infection, blood clots, and proper healing.
Pain Management Your doctor will prescribe pain medications to help you manage discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or opioids may be used, depending on your needs.
A combination of medications may be used for pain relief as well as to minimize the need for opioids. In some cases, a series of regional blocks using local anesthetics may be used.
- Ice and elevate your knee. Icing your knee a few times a day for 20 minutes at a time will help relieve pain and swelling. Keep your knee above the level of your heart as often as possible by propping it up on cushions or pillows while lying down, or rest it on a footstool if you’re sitting in a chair.
- Keep your incision clean and covered. Follow your surgeon’s instructions. Ask when you should change the dressing on your incision site and when it’s safe to take a shower or bathe.
- Do prescribed exercises. Your surgeon will give you exercises to do soon after your surgery. Follow their instructions on when to begin and how often to perform the movements.
Follow-Up Appointments You will need to see your medical provider in the days or weeks following surgery to ensure proper healing and assess the function of the new knee joint.
Physical Therapy Most people can start exercising their “new” knee hours after surgery. You may be advised to limit weight-bearing on the knee and avoid certain movements for a few weeks.
