Knee replacement surgery is major surgery and a complex one too. After having the surgery, people go through different complications, and especially swelling after knee surgery is common. If you just had knee replacement surgery and there is swelling on the knee, don’t worry. Here we are sharing some of the best tips that will help you reduce swelling after knee surgery.
Stay tuned with us till the end because we will share some other important details considering the same as well.
9 Tips to Reduce Swelling After Knee Replacement:
Elevate the leg with your foot above the level of your heart
Elevating the leg with your foot above the level of your heart is one of the best methods to reduce swelling. Keep 2-3 pillows below the affected leg. Make sure the position is such that it maintains the leg at a 45-degree or greater angle from the body.
Stay in that position as long as you can. But take the normal position if you start experiencing throbbing pain.
Wear compression socks
Compression stockings, which promote better circulation and reduce swelling, are also available on the market. You can simply ask your doctor about them. After surgery, the doctor suggests patients have them because they are important for promoting better circulation and reducing swelling.
As instructed by the surgeon, wear the stockings accordingly. Make sure to purchase the stocking according to your knee size. The small, or bog, stockings will not be helpful in providing relief.
Use an ice pack
Using an ice pack can also help you reduce swelling after knee surgery. When you are resting for a while, take an ice pack and put it on the affected area. If you do it for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, it will give you visible results.
But be sure not to put an ice pack directly on the skin because it may lead to a frostbite condition and skin damage may take place.
Medication
Medication plays a big role, and it is important that you are not avoiding it. Take the medications as instructed by the surgeon. If you avoid the medication, the recovery period will be longer and you will not be able to get rid of the pain and swelling over the knee joint.
Do not put pressure on the knee
Putting excessive pressure on the affected knee can cause a lot of problems. Make sure not to stand or sit in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Try to change your positions as much as you can during the recovery period.
Keep the surgery site neat and clean
Some individuals do not pay attention to the cleanliness at the surgery site and have infections. This infection leads to swelling as well. If you don’t want to face this problem, clean the surgery site. Also, as suggested by your doctor, change the dressings.
Exercise
Exercise is also very important and you can also approach the physiotherapist for the same. But excessive exercise can be harmful. Until and unless the automatic doctor has not suggested you go for exercise, do not engage in it at all.
Maintaining your weight
After knee surgery, it is important for you to maintain your weight as well. Be sure that you are not gaining weight because gaining weight can put pressure on the artificial joint and lead to swelling.
Consult your doctor
It is also important for you to consult with your doctor about the activities in which you are engaged after the knee surgery. Let them know what you are up to too so that they can understand whether the particular condition is suitable for your condition or not. If your doctor suggests you refrain from a particular activity, don’t try to adapt to it until the next instruction.
Note: There are a lot of precautions you need to take after knee replacement surgery. Make sure you are not engaging in activities that can interfere with the recovery period. If there is any problem arising, contact the doctor immediately so that they can take the matter under consideration and come up with the best possible solutions to treat the condition.
The following are the tips that one can reduce swelling after knee replacement surgery. Well, if you are planning to go for knee replacement surgery and have no clue whom to approach, then Jaipur is the best destination for you. Here you can visit the Partani Clinic.
Dr. Arun Partani is the specialist here, and you can consult him about your problem. If there is a need for surgery, he will suggest the same, otherwise, the medications will do wonders for you.
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Most Asked Questions:
Q. What is the swelling after knee surgery?
Ans: Swelling after knee surgery is normal and expected. This is caused by the body’s natural response to repair and reconstruction of the body following knee surgery. It can be distressing as it may not go down even with medication or ice. The swelling usually decreases in a couple of weeks to months after having surgery, but it can take up to 6 years for it to completely go away.
Q. What causes swelling after knee surgery?
Ans: Some patients may experience swelling in their knee joint after knee surgery. Swelling happens when the liquid inside the joint seeps into the space between your bones and skin. There are many factors that may cause swelling, and it is important to know which ones are most likely to occur. Like:
- Infection at the surgery site.
- Putting excess pressure on the joint
- Sleeping in an inappropriate position.
Q. What are the symptoms of swollen joints?
Ans: There are a number of different symptoms that can be associated with swollen joints. The most common symptom is increased sensitivity to touch or pain, which can be relieved by rest and ice.
If the issue is serious enough, it can cause the person to feel tired or lightheaded when they make any movement at all. Also, it is important that you keep track of the other symptoms that may accompany swelling in order to find an effective treatment plan.
Q. What are the treatments for swollen joints?
Ans: There are many causes of swollen joints, but with these few treatment options, you should be able to address the issue.
Treatment options for swollen joints include:
- Taking ibuprofen or naproxen for pain relief;
- Using heat for 10 minutes on a regular basis
- For pain relief, apply ice and take ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Applying cold packs to the affected joint;
- Using compression garments