TKR knee replacement 3 days ago

[Jimmer]

Well I had total knee replacement 3 days ago and have lots of swelling and pain, the pain is getting better but the swelling is still not good. I start therapy on monday and hoping they tell me all is normal. Been doing some stretching at home but very limited because of the pain and swelling.

 

[panammaniac]

You’ll have swelling for a while. I’m 18 days post op and still have swelling. It has gone down a lot but there’s still a ways to go. My pain was manageable but I stayed on top of my pain meds, even setting alarms to take them on schedule in the middle of the night. You’re very early on. Your only job right now is to rest and let your body heal.

 

[Pumpkin]

@Jimmer,
Welcome to the Knee Recovery forum.

total knee replacement 3 days ago and have lots of swelling and pain, the pain is getting better but the swelling is still not good.

Sounds normal after three days, you can expect continued pain and swelling while your knee is healing. Everyone is different. Generally most start to feel much better around 3-4 months, taking a full year to recover.

Your PT should be able to help with swelling, mobility, and a few gentle exercises.

Like Panammaniac said, your job right now is to rest and let your body heal.

Please let us know if your surgery date is October 19, 2022, three days ago means different things in different locations.
Thanks,
Chris

Here is your copy of the Knee Recovery Guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

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rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

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a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

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the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds


We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

OneStep information

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

Swelling in the early weeks is very normal. It will get better, but be prepared for it to vary, for several months or more, depending on your activity level, this is also very normal.