Page 12 - total-knee-packet

KNEE REPLACEMENT’S BIGGEST SECRET:

ICE AND ELEVATATION

The first few weeks of recovery after a knee replacement can be tough
unfortunately. One of the best ways to alleviate pain is to be fanatical
about swelling control so that you can regain your full motion as fast as
possible. Pain and swelling occur because you had major surgery. They
can make your rehab more difficult. A lot of the pain diminishes once
your swelling is controlled and motion is obtained.

ICE
Ice your knee at least 3-4 times per day. In the early weeks of recovery, icing more frequently will be beneficial.
Use a “30 minutes on, 30 minutes off” schedule.
• At a minimum, you should ice after every PT/exercise session and any time you have been particularly active.
• Protect your skin from direct contact with the ice/moisture with a towel or pillowcase.
• Using an ice machine, ice packs, or a simple bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables is acceptable!
• Icing is helpful for months! If it feels good, do it!

ELEVATE
Elevate your surgical leg above the level of your heart 3-4 times per day for at least 30 minutes to help reduce swelling in
the operative leg. Just do this while icing. Dr. Eccles and his staff know immediately which patients do this and which
don’t during follow-up visits. We encourage you to do this so that you have a great outcome.

“TOES ABOVE THE NOSE” is the only effective way to properly elevate the leg to reduce swelling. Prop

your leg up using pillows or couch cushions and lay on your back. This allows for the fluid that builds up in the leg to get
back to the rest of your body. Gravity will constantly fight you and have the opposite effect unless you prop your foot up
above your heart.

• TIPS:
o Do not put a pillow directly under your knee but rather place it under your heel to help with elevation
and regain full knee extension.
o The same goes for sitting in a recliner with the knee partially bent; it isn’t helping you gain extension or
reduce swelling! (you aren’t raising high enough!)

11