Stiffness after your knee replacement surgery is normal due to the amount of swelling and pain. This can make it harder for you to fully bend or straighten your knee. However, it should improve over time to the point that stiffness is no longer an issue for you.
Remember, it can take up to 3 months for the initial pain and swelling to settle down after surgery but can be a full year before it completely subsides.
The range of motion exercises you worked on with your physiotherapist are meant to keep stiffness from becoming an issue over the long term. Keeping up with your daily stretches should be a top priority.
You may have heard about these warnings before, but they are important: These steps can keep you from having problems with stiffness today, and can prevent longer-term issues over time:
Maintain regular range of motion exercises throughout the day and do not force your knee.
Do not sit with your legs crossed for at least six weeks after your operation.
Do not put a pillow under your knee when sleeping as this can result in a permanently bent knee.
Avoid twisting at your knee.
Wear supportive outdoor shoes.
Avoid kneeling on your operated knee until you have a comfortable bend in your knee and can do so in a controlled way.
Elevate your leg regularly and use ice therapy three to four times a day to help reduce the swelling
Do knee extension and flexion exercises as prescribed and demonstrated in the video. This is important to achieve the required range of motion in the first six weeks
NOTE: If the stiffness doesn’t improve after about six weeks your surgeon may need to move or manipulate your knee under anaesthetic in hospital.
References
“Knee Replacement – Recovery.” NHS Choices, National Health Service, 25 July 2016. Accessed 22 May 2020. - Click here
Knee Replacement: Looking after your knee replacement. Accessed 22 May 2020 - Click here