To massage your knee after a total knee replacement, wait until the incision is fully healed (no scabs, staples, or open areas), then use a cream or oil to perform gentle circular motions or cross-friction around the scar to loosen tissue, moving away from the scar line initially, then gradually working deeper with techniques like lifting/rolling skin and cross-friction (back and forth) to improve mobility and reduce stiffness, but never directly on the surface until the skin is fully resilient, always stopping if pain increases significantly. Always follow your surgeon or physical therapist's specific guidance, as massage is part of a broader rehab plan.
Increased massage treatment was more effective at alleviating pain and improving knee ROM in early post-TKA patients.
Heel slides: Gently sliding the heel towards the buttocks while lying down promotes knee flexion and extension, combating stiffness. Leg raises: Lifting the operated leg off the ground while sitting or lying down aids in enhancing quadriceps strength and overall joint mobility.
KNEE: Three to twelve months
For a knee replacement, it can take up to three months for you to return to most activities, and likely six months to one year to fully recover maximal strength and endurance.
Using heat and ice can be an effective way to manage pain and swelling after knee replacement surgery. Heat therapy, such as warm towels or heating pads, can help soothe stiff muscles and joints. Applying heat before activities may help loosen up the knee and enhance mobility.
But if you are considering total knee replacement, there are some things patients can do to make their recovery as smooth as possible.
Beware of heating pads – they should never be used near an open wound or after surgery. The temporary relief causes unseen damage. Many times burning under the skin can occur, without seeing the visible signs first.
For the first three months after surgery, you'll be healing and doing exercises to build strength and improve your range of motion. Full recovery from a total knee replacement takes a up to a year.
Following an exercise regime can also reduce swelling, increase your range of motion and strengthen your body. Knee replacement exercise recovery regimens often include stretching, pumping your muscles, bending your knees and working your quad. One of the most highly recommended exercises is walking.
Post-surgical knee stiffness, often referred to as “arthrofibrosis,” is one of the most reportedissues following procedures such as total knee replacement or ACL reconstruction. It occurs when scar tissue forms around the knee joint, restricting your range of motion.
Aside from physiotherapy exercises, walking is one of the most important activities you can do following a knee replacement. It increases mobility while strengthening the muscles around the new joint. Initially, you'll likely be given walking aids to help you, but after a week or so, you should be able to walk unaided.
This blog post contains a few helpful tips.
Don't use products such as Voltaren gel or Neosporin on the wound. Don't take a bath until several weeks after surgery.
Ideally, you should begin scar massage about two to three weeks after surgery, once the wound has closed completely and the skin has fully healed. For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months.
Some common examples include infectious diseases, acute injury or trauma, risk of blood clots, and uncontrolled medical conditions. These conditions can make massage unsafe, and they require the client to seek medical advice before receiving any bodywork.
You may place as much weight onto the operated leg as your pain, comfort, common sense and balance will allow. You will not damage your knee replacement by placing your weight on the leg.
Note: Side sleeping is usually an option several weeks into recovery, not immediately after surgery. Always check with your physical therapist or surgeon before trying this position.
Postoperative hydration is just as important, if not more so. Fluids help flush anesthesia and medications from your system, reduce swelling, and promote better circulation. This enhanced blood flow is critical for delivering oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues, especially around the new joint.
Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first, you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you how much weight to put on your leg. Stand comfortably and erect with your weight evenly balanced on your walker or crutches.
Even though you will be able to resume most activities, you may want to avoid doing things that place excessive stress on your "new" knee, such as participating in high-impact activities like jumping, jogging, or skiing.
Fortunately, fracture after total knee replacement is rare. It is a serious complication that is often challenging to treat, almost always requiring a large surgery and an extended period of post-operative rehabilitation.
Knee replacement is a major surgery, and you will need help around the house until you get your mobility back. Your doctor will provide a list of steps to take in advance to make your recovery easier.
Topical pain creams can help with post-knee replacement pain, but avoid the incision. Lidocaine patches may provide additional relief. Expect some bruising and swelling. After knee replacement surgery, it's key to manage postoperative pain, swelling, and bruising well.
Heat should be used after icing when the swelling has gone down. Applying heat to an injury increases blood flow to the area and helps facilitate the healing process. But, if you apply heat too soon after an injury, it can cause additional swelling by increasing blood flow too much.
Most patients use a combination of heat and ice to get them through the day. Often heat is used to warm up the knee before activities and ice to calm it down afterwards. Pain that does not improve with rest, especially if associated with redness around the knee and a fever can be signs of infection.