Stay in this position for as long as you are seated or lying down. Elevate your leg any time you experience swelling in the days, weeks, and months after your surgery.
Avoid putting an ice pack directly on your skin as it may cause frostbite and skin damage. Make sure to refreeze the ice pack when you are done with it so it will be cold the next time you need it. Never use a heating pad on your knee when it is swollen as this can make the swelling worse. Only use ice packs on your knee when it is swollen. [3] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source Try a continuous cooling system to provide consistent icing to your knee if you’re able. You can buy systems online for around $150 USD.
Compression stockings can be difficult to put on. If you apply lotion to your legs first, wait until it has fully absorbed into your skin before putting on the stockings. You can also apply cornstarch or baby powder to your legs to make it easier to get the stockings on. Wash your stockings daily in a bowl or sink full of soapy water and then rinse them thoroughly. Hang them up to dry and wait until they are completely dry to wear them again. You can get compression stockings from a medical supply store and your insurance may even cover the cost of them. Compression stockings can give you an infection if you wear them over recent wounds or incisions. Talk to your primary care provider to determine if compression stockings are safe to use.
Knee surgeries increase the risk of venous thrombosis (blood clots in the veins) during the first 3 months of recovery. Follow your care provider’s instructions completely for any blood thinners they prescribe.
You will receive instructions on how to care for your wound after your discharge from the hospital. Follow these instructions carefully. Only change your wound dressing when it is absolutely necessary, such as when it is soaked with blood or if it is leaking. Check with your doctor if you are unsure about when and how to change the dressing.
A rapid onset of swelling in your affected leg Tenderness, warmth, or redness around a swollen area of your calf New drainage, warmth, redness, or pain along with swelling at the site of your incision A fever of 101 °F (38 °C) or higher for more than 24 hours An inability to flex your knee past the point you did when you were discharged
For example, your doctor may advise you to avoid going up and down stairs, such as by modifying your home environment so that you are living on 1 level. [10] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
If the exercises feel painful, stop immediately and tell your doctor.
Gradually increase the number of repetitions you do per set until you are doing 20 repetitions 2 times per day. Keep your leg straight while you’re doing the exercise and rest your calf and ankle on 1-2 pillows. Elevate your leg at a 45-degree angle from your body. Your doctor may instruct you to do these exercises while you are still in the hospital, but you can continue to do them at home to reduce swelling.
Gradually work up to doing 20 repetitions of each direction twice daily. Keep your leg straight while you’re doing these exercises and ensure that your calf and ankle are resting on pillows. Your leg should be elevated at a 45-degree angle from your body.
Try walking back and forth across an open area of your home, such as your living room or a hallway. You will likely need to use a walker at first to support yourself.
