The dressing that is normally used is a sterile dressing (Sylke) that is designed to stay on until the first postoperative visit. The dressing may remain in place for 3-4 weeks. It is a cloth-like dressing just on the surface of your skin. Initially, there will be a dressing of gauze and an ACE wrap that can be removed on the day after surgery. Please leave the underlying Sylke dressing in place. You can shower the day after surgery with the Sylke dressing but no baths or swimming for 4 weeks after the surgery (assuming appropriate wound healing). Wound drainage is rare. A small amount of blood on the Sylke dressing is acceptable and would not require an early dressing removal. If the dressing becomes saturated before your office visit, please call the office for additional instructions.

The dressing that is normally used is a sterile dressing (Prineo) that is designed to stay on until the first postoperative visit. It is a translucent dressing just on the surface of your skin. Initially, there will be a dressing of gauze and an ACE wrap that can be removed on the day after surgery. Please leave the underlying Prineo dressing in place. You can shower the day after surgery with the Prineo dressing but no baths or swimming for 4 weeks after the surgery (assuming appropriate wound healing). Wound drainage is rare. A small amount of blood on the Prineo dressing is acceptable and would not require an early dressing removal. If the dressing becomes saturated before your office visit, please call the office for additional instructions.

Pain after knee replacement surgery is expected. The first 1-2 weeks after surgery can be uncomfortable at times. The pain should gradually improve on a weekly basis over the course of the first 6 weeks or so. It is not uncommon to have mild pain with certain activities for a longer period of time. The aches and pains associated with surgery and recovery tend to gradually improve and resolve over the course of 9-12 months after surgery.

You will be prescribed several different medications after surgery in order to affect the pain in different ways. You should be comfortable most of the time, but at times the pain will likely just be tolerable. Trying to minimize the swelling after surgery is an important component of pain control. Limiting excessive activity, icing regularly, and elevating the leg throughout the day all help to control the swelling.

Pain is a part of the healing process after surgery. Please take the medications as prescribed. The stronger medications are prescribed for “as needed” use, and you do not need to take them if you are comfortable. Conversely, do not feel that you need to hold off on taking medications in order to make them last longer; medications will be refilled for an appropriate time frame after surgery. If you feel the pain in the knee increasing, it is usually helpful to get up and walk around for a bit. The change in position and activity will help relieve the pain.

There is a standard regimen of medications used postoperatively. This regimen may be adjusted based on an individual’s medical history, previous medication use, and allergies. For a chart with a suggested schedule for medications, please click HERE.

After surgery, unless directed otherwise, you may put as much weight on your leg as you are comfortable doing so (“weightbearing as tolerated”). You should initially use a walker or crutches to aid in walking, and you may progress to using a cane over the first 1-2 weeks as you become more comfortable. Falling is a main cause of complications after surgery, so using something initially to help you walk is essential. Walking unassisted by week 3 is a reasonable goal. Your physical therapist will help guide you in this decision.

Swelling after knee replacement is expected, both at the surgery site and in your legs. Wearing the compression stockings (or TED hose) is required during the day for the first 3 weeks after surgery. Please obtain knee-high compression stockings either from the drugstore or from the internet (Edema Wear compression sleeves at www.edemawear.com are a good choice). The stockings can be removed for showers and when you go to sleep at night. 

For most of the day, your operative leg should be elevated on pillows or a cushion. If you are lying down, the knee should be above the level of your heart. When you are elevating your leg, please spend some time with the pillows/cushion under your foot/ankle only. This will help to maintain full extension of your knee (all the way straight) as you recover.

Starting the day after surgery, range of motion exercises should be performed every 2 hours while you are awake (even if you are in the hospital). I prefer that you limit significant strengthening exercises for the first 6 weeks in order to allow the tissues to recover and to prevent any repaired tissue from stretching too much. Physical therapy may begin several weeks after surgery and will typically continue for 1-3 months. Limiting the number of steps during the day is helpful to minimize the amount of swelling in the leg. Patients that develop significant postoperative swelling often have a more difficult time recovering motion and controlling pain.

Find recommended postoperative exercises HERE.

Returning to driving after knee replacement is largely dependent on which knee was replaced. If you had a left knee replacement, you can typically return to driving in 2-4 weeks. You may begin driving when you can sit comfortably in a vehicle, walk with a cane, are not on narcotics, and feel that you can competently and safely drive.

Driving after a right knee replacement often takes more time, usually 3-6 weeks after surgery before it can be done safely and comfortably. You have to be able to stand on the brake pedal to stop in an emergency situation. Driving under the influence of narcotic pain medication is strictly prohibited. Please practice driving in an empty parking lot prior to returning to busy streets.