Total Knee:
Post-operative Day #1
Today is about establishing a routine.
Many patients feel surprisingly good early and then notice more soreness as anesthesia fully wears off. A steady, predictable routine usually works better than alternating between too much activity and long periods in bed.
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Focus on five things
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Take scheduled medications on time. Use opioid medication only as directed for breakthrough pain.​
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Walk several short times throughout the day with your assistive device.
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Ice and elevate regularly, especially after walking or exercises.
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Drink enough that your urine is light yellow, unless another doctor has limited your fluids.
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Start the bowel regimen you were prescribed; constipation is much easier to prevent than to treat later.
Begin your home exercises and work on getting the knee fully straight.
Early flexion matters too, but do not force the knee through severe pain. Your early goal is steady improvement toward at least 90 degrees of bending by about 3 weeks.
Your Home Health Care therapist will be working with you appropriately and will be in contact with us / your surgical team.
Perform the exercises in your pre-op booklet,
or: See "Download Dr. Deans Knee Replacement Protocol" Button for exercises and details.
Do not chase a perfect day.
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Fatigue, grogginess, soreness, swelling, and poor sleep are common. Recovery is measured over days and weeks, not hour by hour.
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Call / Seek Urgent Help
Contact us for inability to keep fluids down, new or worsening drainage, inability to urinate, severe calf tenderness, pain that remains uncontrolled despite the prescribed plan, or new weakness/numbness that is concerning.
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Your own discharge instructions and medication list always take priority. This guide is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.
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