Early and Advance Recovery Protocols

Post Operative Care

Once the knee replacement is successfully performed, the patients wake up within 1-2 hours as soon as anesthesia disappears. On the basis of specific type of surgery and patient’s health and recovery, many patients have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days after the surgery.

Various therapies are used after the knee surgery to start circulation in leg and avoid blood clots. These therapies include:

  1. Compression boots that enclose the lower leg and expand and contract to apply slight pressure.
  2. Regular passive motion machine that slightly moves the leg when the patient lies on the bed.
  3. Foot and ankle movement
  4. Medicines for blood thinning
  5. Raising legs for short time intervals

In various cases, physical therapy includes movements and exercises to allow the patient to adjust the new joint and begin to walk.

Post-Operative Care

In a small extent of people with the major surgical processes, following knee replacement complications can occur.


This condition is also called as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and it occurs when the big veins in the leg develop blood clots and in few cases, become clogged in the lung capillaries and cause pulmonary embolism. The following steps are taken to prevent knee replacement complications because of blood clots. Blood thinning medication, Elastic stockings Foot and ankle exercises to improve blood supply and improve venous return in the lower leg.

If you develop swelling, redness, pain or tenderness in the calf muscle, contact your Orthopaedic Surgeon quickly.


However special care is needed before, during and after implant, infections occur in rare patients after knee replacement surgery. Steps taken to reduce the knee replacement complications include:

  1. Evaluate your incision closely and quickly to report redness, swelling, tenderness, quick drainage, foul odor and lasting fever about 100.4 degrees.
  2. Antibiotics are taken for dosage duration

Follow the incision care instructions that your surgeon gives.


An analogy to show quick breathing is to smell the roses and blow out the candles. Inhale by your nose and exhale by your mouth at a slow and controlled rate. This equipment offers you visual feedback while performing breathing exercises. Your therapist will suggest suitable knee stifness techniques such as:

  1. Deep breathing exercises: A regular passive motion unit is placed on your leg to slightly and gently bend your knee. This equipment helps in regaining your knee motion.
  2. Another device is incentive spirometer that offers visual feedback while deep breathing exercises are performed. Get proper consultation from your therapist.