How to Reduce Leg Swelling After Knee Surgery - By a Physical Therapist

How to Reduce Leg Swelling After Knee Surgery. Swelling is common after knee surgery, especially a total knee replacement, but how do you get the swelling to go down? What's normal and what happens when the swelling lasts longer than expected? Swelling can hinder knee movement and the ability to walk around.
I am a physical therapist that specializes in swelling and lymphedema, and I see a LOT of patients with this issue. So I am here to share the main ways we reduce swelling after knee surgery.
𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲?
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00:00 Intro
01:03 What causes the swelling and is it normal?
The two basic options:
01:41 Treatment 1
02:10 Treatment 2
The more specialized options:
02:55 Treatment 3
05:37 Treatment 4
06:55 Treatment 5
07:38 IMPORTANT!
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Lymphatic Drainage Video for the LEFT Leg: • Lymphedema Massage: FU...
Lymphatic Drainage Video for the RIGHT Leg: • Lymphedema Massage: FU...
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Disclosure: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for your support!
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*I am a physical therapist, but not your physical therapist. Although I do monitor comments, I cannot respond to personal medical questions. Please know that these are questions for your own doctor or provider as this is general information only. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER
THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO DOES NOT REPLACE THE CARE OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. THIS VIDEO CONTENT IS IN NO WAY TO BE CONSTRUED OR SUBSTITUTED AS PHYSICAL THERAPY OR ANY OTHER TYPE MEDICAL ADVICE, BUT IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION aND DEMONSTRATION ONLY. THESE MOVES MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION, SO GET APPROVAL AND GUIDANCE FROM YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE BEGINNING. PERFORM AT YOUR OWN RISK. DON'T USE THIS CONTENT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE OR SELF-TREAT ANY HEALTH, MEDICAL, OR PHYSICAL CONDITION. YOU AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY CANCER REHAB PT LLC FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES INJURIES, OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT ARISE FROM YOUR USE OR MISUSE OF THIS CONTENT.ALL CONTENT OR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, BLOG, OR EMAIL SERIES AND CANCER REHAB PT LLC's COMMENTS ARE EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION ONLY.

[@CancerRehabPT]

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘁? Shop my Exercises for Leg Swelling Handout: bit.ly/Leg-Swelling-Exercises

[@marydenise85]

How about two years. I had two surgeries on the right Knee. My Doctor never mentioned this treatment. Its a pity that they are still practicing. I recently tried a hospitial white stocking that I had never used. I have seen a improvement. I will definitely try your method. I will let you know what happens.

[@vickiyounkin1057]

Very helpful video thanks so much

[@vickiyounkin1057]

Thanks so much for the video very helpful

[@effigy8620]

What a great video. Thank you

[@khalilmouhammed1442]

Nice information Thanks 🙂🙏

[@elizabethmercurius8276]

Thank u for your advice

[@scotsmanofnewengland7713]

A cold water therapy machine is something to think of when having a TKR.

[@teresaspensley5640]

Unfortunately they are far too expensive 🥲

[@kdub6593]

Dislocated my kneecap, swells the size of a barrel. Great help from your video. TU

[@kmgreenrph]

Good information

[@owsowmuskwanaistus9213]

thank you

[@Gregg923]

Great job Ty

[@LCarefortheworld]

Thanks for the video! @Nidra”Faith” Agbosu has asked a similar question. I injured my knee skiing, both MCL and ACL. Fortunately I don’t know surgery, but it swells up more than the first week or so, now it’s in the 3rd week. Is this normal and do the methods in your video still apply?

[@mjfer10]

I broke my knee 7 weeks ago and as the day goes by it swells up down to my ankle. I will follow your advice: ice, compression socks. I am doing my exercises twice a day, I sit down for work and walk around a bit.

[@samuelcrees]

Yes, I had a RTKR, and my research for my lockup; NHI shows (dated) that 450K to over 500K are done alone in the USA, and this report said it expects that number to rise to over 4 million+ by 2030. I do still have swelling after 3 1/2 months but looking for more answers' thanks for your video

[@DBecks09]

Do you take off the compression socks while elevating the leg? Or keep them on all day?

[@p1dru2art]

Compression stocking is crazy talk at this point you're in so much pain and immobility you couldn't get a compression stocking on.......... A custom compression stocking just Ace bandage customize the elasticity as you wrap yourself...... Is simple is simpler

[@JRH526]

Exactly!

[@321montage]

I had my initial TKR 8/22; became septic win 9/22, back to surgery for revision. 11/22 initial replacement removed due to persistent infection and spacer placed. 3/23 spacer removed and new TKR done. now have persistsant effusion, NOT in joint space, but in muscle/tissue. It’s been drained 3 times, and each time fluid reaccumulates in 1-2 days. it makes bending the knee painful. My extension is zero and flexion is 120. Any thoughts to why the fluid is building up? It has only occurred after this last surgery in March.

[@kathyclark3168]

I had one of these machines when I came home from the first surgery. Then, me and my Walker one day became entangled in the long lines of this lovely machine. I fell, broke the original knee implant, that implant went and broke my femur. Had a knee revision soon after wore a brace for 6; wks. I'm fine now, 4 more weeks left of PT then that's it. Oh I'll do the exercises at home. Also going back to my chair aerobics soon 😊

[@madhuverma3586]

Nice

[@UnderCoverStyles]

What brand is that leg elevation wedge pillow?

[@vickiyounkin1057]

Lots of swelling my knee replacement on June 15

[@marytesta3003]

All of your videos are great. Those who said they weren't told to elevate and ice......that is elementary. RICE..... It is in every video, article to elevate and ice. My PT had me do it for 20 minutes after my PT session.

[@p1dru2art]

Yeah but Kelly what's the deal with swollen toes and purple toes swollen ankles and worrying about circulation

[@alanmabbutt1]

I had a lot of swelling after my knee surgery 5 years ago and it has never gone down. I was unable to actual do certain exercises for a number of weeks afterwards, and was not advised to ice or elevate, which obviously would have helped. Is it too late to reduce the swelling now?

[@sabahameed9560]

Its not late u can perform these exercises and will be helped for sure opinion from a physiotherapist from pakistan

[@jim6635]

Thank you for your video on explaining this. You are a wonderful person and a great teacher. May God bless you and your family.

[@zova_4446]

I dislocated my knee two days ago, but it popped right back in and the X-rays showed no sign of damage other than accumulation of liquid in the knee area. However I’m still in pain and my knee is locked in a fixed position. My calv and foot has started swelling, not much, but still a big difference from the other foot. The foot is darker red than the other and my calv hurts like hell. Is this part of the healing process? Or am I to worry? Thanks for response in advance!

[@ronniebaker7782]

Dude, I hope you saw a doctor for that

[@zova_4446]

@@ronniebaker7782 Yea, I took an MRI. Turned out one of my tendons had ripped as well as some broken off cartilage. I’ve undergone surgery now and it’s a lot better💪

[@WomanAtTheWell2016]

Would this also help for a torn acl

[@LCarefortheworld]

Great question. I injured my knee skiing, both MCL and ACL. Fortunately I don’t know surgery, but it swells up more than the first week or so, now it’s in the 3rd week. Hope she’ll answer the question soon.

[@MrDeeno]

@@LCarefortheworld Im at 7 months post acl and still swell up man, its all about patience and trusting your healing process

[@marytesta3003]

Absolutely. Your PT should have told you that and read any information they gave you upon discharge.

[@BG-xh2od]

This info is on the internet already. I went for p t and they made it worse for me

[@BG-xh2od]

You can do exercises at home by yourself.

[@alicefisher6770]

But I can’t get socks on. Reg socks. I am alone

[@teresaspensley5640]

Fold a towel lengthways in half and again in half, take one end and put the sock on the end of the towel, then put your foot in the socks. I watched a young man doing this and it was amazing 👍🏻