Total Knee Replacement

Wound care

Leave your surgical dressing in place until your follow-up. Keep it clean and dry, use waterproof bandages for showering, and avoid bathing or swimming. Minor bleeding is typical, reinforce the dressing as needed.

Medications

• Pain medicine (Norco or Percocet): 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 12 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take extra Tylenol with it.
• Blood-clot prevention (one will be prescribed): aspirin (81 mg or 325 mg) twice daily, Lovenox 30 mg injection twice daily, or Eliquis 2.5 mg twice daily.
• Use a stool softener as needed, pain medicine commonly causes constipation.

Ice

Use your ice machine or ice packs 20 minutes every 2 hours until your first post-operative visit. Keep a thin towel between the ice and your skin.

Exercises & physical therapy

Begin day one with straight-leg raises and quad sets. Aim for full extension and about 90° of bending by your first visit. Formal physical therapy is extremely important.

Driving & follow-up

No driving until your medical team clears you or while taking narcotics. First post-operative visit is typically 7-14 days after surgery.

When to call us

• Fever above 101.5°F
• Pain that will not let up, or painful swelling / numbness
• Increasing redness or continuous drainage / bleeding from the incision
• A change in the color of the operated arm or leg
• Difficulty breathing, or excessive nausea / vomiting

For a true emergency, call 911. For non-urgent questions about your recovery, please contact our office.