Common Problems & Solutions | Knee
Appetite
After surgery, you might have less of an appetite. This could be caused by your medicines, or it may be that you are not used to the hospital food and your appetite will improve when you return home. You should call the office if you are vomiting or not able to eat at all. You should also call if after six to eight weeks your diet is not back to normal.
Depression
It is not uncommon for you to feel somewhat sad and depressed once you have returned home from the hospital. You may cry easily and be more irritable. Don't worry, this will improve with time. It is important for you to talk openly about your feelings with your health care provider, supportive family members or friends.
Incision Care
Your incision may be warm, itchy and slightly red for several weeks after surgery. Extensive bruising is usually present; however, excessive redness or soreness and any drainage should be reported to your surgeon or the surgeon's nurse.
DO keep the incision dry and do not bathe until steri-strips have fallen off or been removed.
If the steri-strips begin to curl up at the edges, you may trim the ends.
After fourteen to twenty-one days, if the incision appears healed, you may shower and take off any remaining steri-strips.
Leg and Ankle Swelling
You will have some swelling in your operated leg, but excessive swelling should be reported to your surgeon. If your activity makes the swelling worse, plan to elevate your legs several times during the day.
DO have someone change your support hose each day.
DO wear your support hose on both legs 24 hours a day (except when bathing) for the first week you are home. You will be more active when you return home and may initially swell more.
DO wash your support hose by hand in a mild detergent and hang them to dry.
DO stop wearing your support hose at night after the first week at home if your ankles are not swollen. You can also elevate the foot of your mattress with pillows. You must have the support hose put on before you get out of bed in the morning and you must wear them all day, every day, until your eight-week evaluation.
To Reduce Swelling
Elevate your entire leg(s) with knee(s) straight.
And use ice bags where needed several times a day.
Pain and Numbness
You may expect to feel numbness, pain and discomfort in your incision after surgery.
DO take the pain medication that has been prescribed for you. As the pain lessens, alternate the pain medication with regular or extra-strength Tylenol.
DO use an ice pack on your incision for 15-20 minutes, several times a day.
DO NOT use heat.
DO report to your surgeon any numbness or tingling down the back of your operated leg.