Total Knee Surgery - 4 Simple Ways to Reduce Swelling

Published 2020-11-03
If you've just had Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, you're probably dealing with a lot of swelling surrounding your knee, and possibly swelling into your lower leg, upper thigh and/or your abdomen...

And this swelling can be the biggest barrier between you achieving full range of motion (ROM) in your knee, especially as the swelling can make your knee feel tight and painful.

With that in mind, reducing your swelling as early as possible in your recovery is of vital importance.

In this video, I'll share 4 simple and effective ways you can reduce your knee swelling at home during your recovery from total knee replacement surgery.

And I'll also share 3 other tips to help you manage any long-term swelling that might be affecting your knee.

Here's a link to the leg wedge that I mention in the video: amzn.to/3mPp7EG

Thanks for watching! Please leave any questions or comments below :-)

- Luke Gordon, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy/Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy
www.gordonphysicaltherapy.com/total-knee

All Comments (21)
  • @georgepardon7830
    Very helpful. I had surgery last week: 4/18/24. This video is very helpful. Everyone should watch this before you have the surgery so you can have what you need.
  • I had TKR on 9/29/22 and it had been a game changer. I love Shawna and Joe on my PT team at your office. They have been compassionate, professional and given me the support and guidance for ongoing healing. I enjoyed the video and see myself as an over achiever and will take heed to slow down and realize this is not a race. Thanks again ❤
  • I had tkr on 7/27/2022. First, people seem to be using oxi for pain. Not the best for me. I use Norco, 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. I wake up stiff, have my Norco and workout 40 minutes later. I thought the pain was going to be 10x more than I have. Yes, it hurts. No joke. Pain tolerances are different for everyone but you need the right meds. Stay on schedule and sleep as much as possible. I'm doing basic flexion and extension exercises 2-3 times daily. I walk 3 walks total of 1000 ft./day. Don't be a super hero. Consistency is the key.
  • @denisep777
    Hello everyone, I had surgery 07/11/22, it's been a week exactly and I keep hearing" it's going to get better, just do the work. I am a praying, believing, trusting in God person, but right now I am miserable. My leg is so swollen 😫 and I'm doing my exercise bending, all of those things. Sometimes I want to cry about what I have done. I was in pain before surgery and now I'm still in pain. I know I must be patient and obedient. Slow and study but I just had to get this out. You pray for me and I will do the same for you. Thanks for listening.
  • Loving your clips and there all so helpfull. Crazy how Im looking forward to starting your other flexon exercises. Owen Australia
  • @TheBowpipe6
    I had my left knee done yesterday. The pain is ridiculous. Unfortunately the oxy they gave me isn’t helping all. Good luck to everyone on your recovery
  • @teresabenner227
    I'm 4 days out from surgery. Thank you I am so glad I came across your content.
  • @LPegg4
    Im only 59. Had Right TKR last Tuesday. 5 days post op back home. Yes painful but taking it day by day. Listen to your body. It knows when your tired
  • I got my knee replacement about 5 weeks ago far from the tightness and the scare discomfort. I am so happy I don't have no more pain
  • @ritaagbor7487
    Thank you so much. I just got my knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. This came in handy
  • I had a TKR of right knee on 24th Nov 2022. I have bruising of thigh and swelling of foot. I was so worried. Your video has helped a lot and reduced my anxiety. Thankyou so much.
  • @Mrs51315
    I got my knee replacement on Wednesday! This pain is excruciating but I've been doing the ankle pumps!
  • @franklopez2744
    Great video great information! Thank you my God bless you 🙏🏼
  • One month out from a TKR and going along good. I am using a CTC-7 Cold Therapy Machine and two PlasmaFlow compression sleeves which both work great. I use a 1 1/2”-2” paint roller to massage my leg which works a lot better than a kitchen roller pin. I highly recommend doing all your exercises before and after your TKR and staying on top of your meditations. Stay ahead of the pain !!!! Thanks for the informative video.
  • Great idea about aquatics! Two weeks into PT after TKR and would love to feel the compression of water. Thank you!
  • @mipajaro1
    Thank you. I got mine on 3/4/22. So working it up.
  • @jabah126
    Needed this. 12 days post op, had chronic knee pain last night, woke up to swollen ankles, never had b4. Think I overdid physio exercises yesterday, makes sense. The four major tips are v helpful. Thank you kindly.
  • Hello ! thanks for your information. I got ACL problem in football 7 months ago. The doctor told me it's half tear so you don't need for surgery. I went through all advice of doctor (not walking, cover it for 20 days, and more.). Now I walk, cycling and doing its exercises to strengthen muscles, but I still have little swelling in my knee without pain. As per your information I should not worry about it. it may take weeks, months or years.