What To Expect From Total Knee Replacement Surgery
A total knee replacement should relieve knee pain and increase your ability to bend your knee. You should notice a difference shortly after surgery. You will have some pain from the surgical cut, however. This pain will decrease steadily over time. After a few weeks, you should be able to perform the tasks of daily living.
Severe Swelling Of Foot After Knee Replacement 7 Days Ago
7 days post-op total knee replacement. Foot is twice normal size and cant do PT or even ambulate with this 10 extra pounds of weight. It feels like Im walking on a waterballoon. I am doing cold therapy and elevating the leg as I was told to do. Anyone experience this after knee replacement??
0 likes, 18 replies
Posted 6 years ago
This is just a possibilityduring surgery the sometimes have to use a tourniquet for blood loss control and this can cause temporary damage and swelling which can create swelling. I would call the surgeon and see if there are any concerns and if you can get something for relief. Otherwise, they may tell you to back off the excercise a little, elevate and ice and just wait for normal blood flow to return and pull the fluids off in a natural course of time. Either way, I dont think you are looking at a quick fix. Swelling is so painful and you feel completely helpless.
Posted 6 years ago
You make a very good point in that yes, there is a tourniquet involved. That explains the bruising on my thigh as well. I have no chopice but to back off the exercises. I cant walk on this bag of fluid that is my foot. Thank you for your input very helpful
Posted 6 years ago
Im 2 weeks post op and i still have good swelling,its just part of the package i think,and if you do exercise/physio then it swells even more..elevation and ice is the key thing,but it is a long road to recovery and we all mend at different rates,good luck
Why Is Knee Warm After Total Knee Replasment
Basically, the body increases blood flow to the knee region to support the healing process. This increased blood flow results in the warmth, swelling and redness often experienced by the patient. As the healing process progresses, the warmth, swelling and redness dissipate. The warmth can take 6 months or longer to resolve.
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How Long Does Pain Last After Knee Replacement Surgery What To Expect
Knee pain can appear in many forms. Arthritis, an injury, and gradual wear and tear as you age can all have an effect on your activities and comfort level. If youre unable to walk or climb a stairs because of your pain , knee replacement surgery may be the best way to get your life back. While the benefits of the procedure may significantly outweigh temporary discomfort, its important to have realistic expectations regarding your recovery timeline and knee replacement pain after surgery.
How Long Do You Ice After Knee Replacement
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain, itâs generally recommended you use an ice pack three to four times a day for about 10-20 minutes during the first few days after surgery.
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Possible Benefits Of Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Regardless of whether a traditional total knee replacement or a minimally-invasive partial knee replacement is performed the goals and possible benefits are the same: relief of pain and restoration of function.
The large majority of total knee replacement patients experience substantial or complete relief of pain once they have recovered from the procedure. The large majority walk without a limp and most dont require a cane, even if they used one before the surgery. It is quite likely that you know someone with a knee replacement who walks so well that you dont know he even had surgery!
Frequently the stiffness from arthritis is also relieved by the surgery. Very often the distance one can walk will improve as well because of diminished pain and stiffness. The enjoyment of reasonable recreational activities such as golf, dancing, traveling, and swimming almost always improves following total knee replacement.
Why Does The Ankle Swell After Knee Surgery
The most common reason for increased swelling in the foot and ankle after knee surgery is due to the drainage from the surgical site. Other factors that increase swelling in the Foot and Ankle include lack of walking, decrease overall activity, and immune-associated physiologic responses in the body.
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Overview Of Knee Revision Surgery
The first step is removal of the existing implant. If there has been significant bone loss, bone grafts may be required to fill these voids. Bone grafts can be either autografts or an allograft . In some cases, metal wedges, wires or screws may be used to strengthen the bone.
Finally, specialized revision knee implants are inserted. Temporary drains may be placed to help prevent excessive swelling of the knee and are usually removed a few days after surgery. Additionally, specialized negative pressure incisional dressings are also frequently employed to improve wound healing as they have been shown to decrease post-operative wound complications in high risk patients. These dressings are usually connected to a small portable pump that stays on for about a week and keep the wound protected and dry.
Knee Replacement Recovery Continues Once Youre Home
Even though hospital stays for knee replacement surgery are shorter than they used to be, getting back on your feet still takes time, says Dr. Parks.
The next phase of recovery continues at home, as patients begin acclimating to normal activities, such as moving between rooms, getting up and sitting down in furniture, and using the bathroom. While everyone is different, many patients are likely to have similar experiences during the early weeks of recovery.
For Barnes, stability was a big issue. I became very aware of where I was placing feet, for example, when stepping off a curb. I just felt a little clumsy early on after surgery so I was afraid of falling.
In addition, she experienced a lot of swelling. The hospital gave me a special brace that circulates cold water around the knee, which was great and helped with swelling, she says.
Whether your doctor has prescribed formal outpatient physical therapy or has entrusted you with an at-home regimen of walking and exercises, patients progressing through recovery achieve some big milestones along the way.
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How Do I Manage Swelling After Knee Surgery
It is important to manage swelling after knee surgery, because it can lead to pain and can make it more difficult to resume everyday activity. The best ways to manage swelling are rest, elevation of the leg, and the regular application of ice. Of course, any advice or instructions from a medical professional regarding the healing process and pain management should always be followed to prevent causing damage to the knee after surgery. Medication will generally also be prescribed to help reduce pain and swelling.
While it is important to get up on your feet and start moving around as soon as possible after knee surgery, this should only be done in very short periods of activity. For instance, getting up and walking slowly around the house for five or ten minutes per hour, then resting for the rest of the time, is usually recommended. This allows the knee to begin moving and getting stronger as the muscles build back up, which will help to speed up the healing process and make eventual physical therapy easier, but it will not cause too much swelling. Staying on the feet for too long can make swelling much worse.
Recovery From Total Knee Replacement In Boynton Beach
Pain, soreness, and inflammation are not uncommon during recovery from knee replacement. Thats why it pays to work with a competent provider who can help you manage the pain and get back to the life you love sooner.
If youre looking for pain management options after total knee replacement in Boynton Beach, look no further than Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches. Our expert team of pain specialists will work with you to address the underlying source of your pain. We may recommend a varied range of treatment options to relieve pain and restore function, depending on your needs.
To schedule an appointment with our post-op knee specialists, call us today at 733-5888. Alternatively, you can fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you.
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Do Your Knee Exercise Regularly
What you achieve in the first two weeks post surgery in terms of knee bend will determine the range of movement youll have in your knee in the long term. So exercising regularly immediately post surgery is really important. Your surgeon will tell you what degree of knee bend you should aim for.
You will also need to aim for a 0 degree extension to get a straight leg. Your physio or surgeon will explain what this means and looks like. Achieving this can be tough, particularly if your leg wasnt straight before surgery. It can take up to 12+ weeks, but your physio will help you by stretching your leg, using weights & massage therapy.
To see any real benefit, youll need to do your knee exercises regularly. That means every day and ideally more than once a day even when you dont feel like doing them, which will be most of the time. Youll probably get to point when you plateau in terms of your progress and find it hard to stay motivated and stay committed to doing the knee exercises regularly after that. Even though youll be tempted, try not to give up. Try and visualise what you want to be doing in three/six months when your knee is fully functional and youre free from pain.
What Is The Recovery Time After Knee Revision Surgery
It varies, but in most cases, physical therapy will be initiated within 24 hours of the procedure and will continue for up to three months.
Some patients take longer to recover. In some cases, protective weightbearing or limiting the knees range of motion is needed to promote appropriate healing. Therapy will usually continue for up to three months following the surgery. Assistive devices, such as a walker or crutches, will be used early in the convalescence period, and patients will progress to a cane or walking without any assistance as their condition improves.
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What Should I Do After Knee Manipulation
You may have pain and swelling in your knee for a few days. It may take several weeks for your range of motion and stiffness to improve. You may start physical therapy the day after your knee manipulation. This helps prevent your knee from becoming stiff again.
Common Symptoms After Surgery
Your incision will be swollen, bruised and may be red after surgery. These symptoms are common and part of the healing process. The following symptoms are also common after surgery:
- temperature below 101.6 F
- warmth or numbness around your incision
- spotty drainage, red or clear in color, lasting for one to five days
It is important to monitor your symptoms every day to make sure your incision is healing properly.
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Tips To Speed Your Recovery After Knee Replacement Surgery
Nearly half of American adults will develop knee arthritis at some point during their lives. Pain, stiffness, and limited mobility are often the result of knee arthritis. Knee replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore function when your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury. The average recovery time from knee replacement surgery is approximately six months, but it can take roughly 12 months to fully return to physically demanding activities. Though the recovery process can be long, there are steps you can take to heal well and enhance your recovery speed.
Bruising After Total Knee Replacement
Bruising after total knee replacementHow Long Does Bruising Last After Knee Replacement Surgery? Typically, bruising around your surgically repaired knee will last 1 to 2 weeks. Bruising often appears as a purplish discoloration that indicates there is blood in the area .
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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: It has been months since I had knee replacement surgery, but my knee is still hurting. Can anything be done at this point, or does the surgery just not eliminate pain in some patients?
ANSWER: Although its uncommon, a small percentage of patients continue to have chronic knee pain after knee replacement surgery. But when that happens, you dont have to just put up with the pain. Have your situation evaluated. Several additional treatment options may ease chronic knee pain after knee replacement.
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries performed today. It is most often used to repair joint damage caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis that causes severe knee pain and makes it hard to perform daily activities.
During knee replacement, a surgeoncuts away the damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone andkneecap, and replaces it with an artificial joint. For most people, kneereplacement significantly improves mobility and relieves knee pain. But in somepatients, the pain persists after surgery.
Your first step in dealing withongoing knee pain in this situation is to make an appointment to see thesurgeon who performed your knee replacement. He or she can evaluate your kneeand check for possible complications from the surgery, such as an infection ora problem with the artificial joint.
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Working At The Edge Of Comfort To Reduce Swelling After Knee Replacement
Immediately following knee replacement, pain and swelling make regaining range of motion a challenge. The swelling inhibits movement as the knee area is bulkier, tender and just not as mobile as it would be without the swelling. And as time goes by the fluid surrounding your knee can create scar tissue, which may permanently impede flexibility if left untreated. Our immediate objective with physical therapy is to reduce swelling after knee replacement while we reconnect the brain to leg muscles, get those muscles firing, and get range of motion back again.
But what is in the fluid in the knee?Dr. Michael Moon describes the components of the fluid in his description of swelling in the video below. Essentially the damaged blood vessels call out for help from the body which sends a variety of different types of cells to the area. This is the natural reaction of the body to repair damaged tissue. Sounds great, right? Well with a knee replacement this natural process gets in the way of the kind of recovery that we actually want to see. Remember we have a new joint now in place of your original equipment. We want the body to rebuild around that new joint without impeding its function. So the fluid in the knee must be kept at a minimum to let you get ahead of the process getting you to normal range of motion before the bodys repair team gets in the way.
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Should I Still Have Pain 6 Weeks After Hip Replacement
In fact, a program of physical therapy exercisesbegun immediately after surgeryis a critical component of your rehabilitation. Up to 6 weeks after surgery, you can still expect discomfort at night and when you move about, although it should not stop you from performing most activities of daily living.
Here Are A Few Things You Can Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery:
- Rest and Ice: The knee will be swollen and tender, which is why you need to follow doctor suggestions for keeping the leg elevated and icing the joint.
- Medications: Not only does medication help with pain management, but it is also vital to reduce inflammation. Sometimes antibiotics are needed for preventing infection.
- Follow Up: You will have follow-up appointments to talk to your sports medicine doctor about recovery. Surgical staples or stitches will be removed during the office visit. Reach out to your doctor if you notice unusual symptoms, such as redness, fever, incision drainage, or increased pain.
- Home Modifications: You might need certain modifications to help you navigate your home. Since the knee needs to heal, you must use crutches. Some patients transition to a cane or walker as the recovery progresses. Consider using other modifications, such as handrails, a shower bench, a reaching stick, and removing loose cords and rugs that could cause a fall.
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Knee Replacement Pain A Year And Beyond
The goal of knee replacement surgery is to help you get back to the activities you love. Your doctor will encourage you to stay fit through activities like swimming, cycling, and even golf. This type of exercise will help you stay limber and pain-free.
On the contrary, there are certain activities that could negatively affect the prosthetic joint materials in place. Even normal use will begin to wear out the implants, but excessive weight or activity can cause your knee replacement to loosen and become painful. You may need to avoid running, jogging, high-impact exercises, and contact sports for the rest of your life following surgery.
The good news is that studies show more than 90% of total knee replacements are still functioning properly 15 years after surgery. Staying healthy and following the advice of your doctor will help you achieve these long-term benefits.
While its possible for pain to persist for a year and beyond, it shouldnt be debilitating. Scar tissue can continue to heal, as well as the muscles in your knee, but if youre suffering from ongoing pain after a year, always talk to your doctor.