Knee swelling after knee replacement surgery is normal. However, there are pre- and post-operative actions that can alleviate and prevent it.
Many people affected by osteoarthritis undergo knee replacement surgery to improve mobility and relieve pain.
Most patients experience swelling around the knee after surgery.
This article discusses the causes, treatments and preventive measures for swelling following knee replacement surgery.
Swelling is a common post-operative complication after this type of surgery.
It can occur in the knee joint, thigh or calf area.
What could be the cause? And what can you do in the following days to prevent it from worsening?
Continue reading the article to learn more.
What causes knee swelling after replacement surgery?
Knee swelling is a very common consequence and is caused by the accumulation of fluids and blood in the tissues around the joint, which can occur even when the surgery is performed perfectly without complications.
It is absolutely normal for the knee to swell a bit after surgery: most people experience a minimal level of swelling in the days and weeks following the surgery.
There are several reasons why fluid can accumulate around the knee joint after replacement surgery.
The surgical procedure causes trauma to the involved tissues, which react with edema and swelling, as well as bruising.
The blood vessels around the area can also be damaged, causing fluid to leak into the tissues.
How can it be treated and ensured it does not worsen?
There are several things you can do to reduce swelling after replacement surgery.
Treatment for knee swelling after knee replacement surgery generally involves:
- resting and elevating the leg to reduce the amount of fluid that accumulates in the knee;
- applying ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day; advanced cryotherapy with Game Ready or CryCuff can also be useful;
- using compression garments such as stockings, which will help compress the knee and reduce the level of swelling;
- taking pain and anti-edema medications;
- monitoring the level of swelling and taking measures to reduce it is important, because swelling can worsen and lead to complications such as infections or blood clots.
In these rare cases it is advisable to consult the orthopedic surgeon, who performed the surgery.
Are there measures that can be taken to prevent knee swelling after replacement surgery?
As we have seen knee swelling after surgery is a common experience for many people.
The preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk of knee swelling after replacement surgery are multidisciplinary.
A good pre-hospitalization preparation that optimizes the patient for surgery, addressing any identified problems (such as poor control of blood pressure or blood sugar).
A minimally invasive surgery with attention to intraoperative bleeding control.
The use of modern pharmacological strategies for managing bleeding and edema is certainly effective in preventing swelling.
Modern anesthetic strategies to ensure intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of blood pressure values.
Proper physiotherapy to reactivate venous and lymphatic drainage, as well as to keep the knee moving by regularly exercising the leg muscles.
This also reduces the risk of lower limb phlebitis and is one of the reasons why Dr. Vanni Strigelli’s patients begin a rehabilitation program with almost immediate mobilization a few hours after surgery.
In the immediate postoperative period it is important to find a balance between rest and exercise.
Even performing preoperative exercises can simplify recovery after surgery.
Maintaining a correct weight through a well-balanced diet is key to not stressing and keeping the new prosthesis in excellent condition.
By following these simple steps you can significantly help prevent knee swelling after replacement surgery.
In this article we discussed the causes, treatments and preventive measures for knee swelling after knee replacement surgery.
If you have any doubts or concerns before or after the surgery, contact
Dr. Vanni Strigelli, who specializes in prosthetic surgery. He will help you clarify any uncertainties.
