Total Knee:
Post-operative Days #7 to 14
Turning the corner.
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For many patients, the second week is when recovery starts to feel more predictable. You are still healing, but the goal begins to shift from simply getting through each day toward moving more normally and relying less on stronger pain medication.
What we want to see
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You are walking several times each day and gradually becoming more confident.
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Pain medication use is decreasing, even if you still need occasional rescue medication.
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Swelling is controllable with ice, elevation, compression, and activity modification.
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The incision remains dry and is progressing normally. Your first dressing change is usually around day 7-10. Check your discharge instructions or preop booklet for details. Or, check here.
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Your appetite and bowel function are returning toward normal.
Continue working toward a fully straight knee and at least 90 degrees of flexion by about 3 weeks.
Quality of motion matters more than forcing the knee. Continue thigh activation and your therapist-directed program, or click "Download Dr. Deans Knee Replacement Protocol" button.
Do more - but not everything
Increase activity gradually. If a busy morning creates several hours of increased swelling and pain, that is your body telling you to back down slightly the next day.
Call / Seek Urgent Help
New chest pain or shortness of breath is an emergency. Call us promptly for significant calf tenderness/warmth, increasing wound drainage, spreading redness, uncontrolled vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain that suddenly becomes much worse.
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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.
Institutional Clarification
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