Knee pain after a total knee replacement surgery is a matter of concern for many. Some amount of pain, swelling, and bruising at the surgical site is normal after knee surgery. However, it is nothing to dwell on. Before you are discharged, your doctor will give you the necessary instructions to manage the pain and discomfort during the recovery period and will also prescribe pain medications. Before discussing pain management techniques, let’s understand what TKR surgery is.
Total knee replacement (TKR) is a surgical procedure where the damaged parts knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant (prosthesis). It is known to be one of the most successful orthopedic procedures in India. It relieves pain and stiffness resulting from age-related wear and tear or an injury and improves mobility.
The normal knee consists of three components, namely, the thigh bone (femur), the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). Any damage to these components leads to knee pain and reduced mobility. This hinders your daily routine activities such as walking, standing, getting up from the chair, running, or climbing the stairs. Pain and reduced mobility are mainly due to arthritis (inflammation of the joint), trauma or injury, blood disorders that lead to issues in blood clot formation (hemophilia), etc.
Total knee replacement is recommended when other conventional treatments (anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, walking aids, steroid injections) fail to provide relief and improve mobility.
Experiencing moderate to severe pain during the first few days of the surgery is expected. This will drastically reduce over the next 3 to 6 months. The following measures will help you have a smooth and fast recovery;
Here are some scenarios that may lead to chronic pain after a TKR surgery.
If you are experiencing chronic pain or pain that does not subside with medications, make sure that you consult your doctor without any further delay.
As said, experiencing some amount of pain, swelling or bruising at the surgical site is normal for any surgery. With the right management techniques, it is possible to manage these signs effectively. Total knee replacement has high success rates and individuals who have undergone the procedure are leading an active and healthy life. For any assistance on TKR surgery, you can consult the expert team of doctors at Medfin.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.