Pain and swelling after a knee replacement surgery is normal.
Here are strategies that can be used to manage pain after a knee replacement:
- Regional nerve blocks and pumps can be utilized to provide analgesia to specific nerve distributions for a set period of time while analgesic medication is delivered to the nerves
- Cryoablation of knee sensory nerves is a newer technique that reduces the sensitivity of the nerves around the knee. If this is not available, alternatively, even home remedies such as applying a cold compress or elevation to reduce swelling in your knee can be beneficial.
- Hands-on care (massages) to reduce inflammation and swelling
- Prescription strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if they do not interfere with other medications or blood thinners you may be on
- Movement strategies to promote blood flow and circulation
- Other over-the-counter medications (e.g. Tylenol, topical BioFreeze) could be considered