For the general shape of recovery over time, see Recovery, Week by Week.
Normal
Swelling. Expected for weeks, sometimes longer. It's usually at its most noticeable in the first two weeks, and takes 10 to 14 days just to begin properly settling. Ice and elevation help throughout.
Warmth, and sometimes redness, around the knee. Common in the early weeks as the body heals. This is different from the specific warning signs below, a generally warm knee is expected; a hot, increasingly red, or discharging wound is not.
Bruising. Common and expected, and fades over the following weeks.
Fatigue. Surgery is a significant physical event. Feeling more tired than expected, sometimes considerably so, is a normal part of recovery, not a sign something is wrong.
Disrupted sleep. Very common in the first several weeks, and it can genuinely take longer than people expect to properly settle.
Feeling low, particularly around week two to three. This is one of the most common things patients don't expect and don't hear about beforehand. Between disrupted sleep, medication, and the physical toll of surgery, feeling flat or discouraged in this window is genuinely common, even when recovery is otherwise going well. It generally passes with time.
Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning. Knee replacement recovery involves working on bending the knee, and stiffness, particularly after sitting or first thing in the morning, is very common. Regular, gentle range-of-motion exercises as guided by your physiotherapist are the key to improving this.
Clicking or popping sensations. Many people notice clicking, popping, or clunking from the knee as they move in the early weeks. This is common and usually not a concern, it typically comes from the soft tissues and swelling adjusting around the new joint, and generally settles as the swelling reduces.
Dry skin. Common as swelling reduces, and not a concern.
Some pain after activity. If a walk leaves you sore afterwards, that's a signal to do a little less next time, not a sign of harm.
Good days and less-good days. Recovery isn't a straight line. A harder day, on its own, doesn't mean something has gone wrong.
Contact the rooms if you notice
- Fever, or a wound that is increasingly red, warm, or discharging
- A sudden or significant increase in pain or swelling, rather than the gradual improvement described above
- Calf pain, tenderness, or swelling
- Persistent low mood that isn't lifting over time
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience
Chest pain or shortness of breath.This needs urgent medical attention straight away. Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department, don't wait to call the rooms first.
This page provides general information about a medical condition and a surgical procedure. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified practitioner. Outcomes vary between individuals and all surgery carries risk. A referral is needed for a consultation with Professor Daevyd Rodda; without one, you can start with the practice nurse practitioner, who can provide it.