Swelling After Knee Replacement
Swelling is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — parts of knee replacement recovery. Knowing what is normal and what is not helps you stay calm and stay on track.
Medically reviewed by Matthew Harb, MD · Orthopedic Surgery — Hip & Knee Replacement · Last reviewed August 13, 2026
Why the knee swells
Total knee replacement is a major operation. The body responds with inflammation, which brings healing cells and fluid to the joint. That fluid takes weeks to months to fully resorb. Walking and physical therapy push some of that fluid into the lower leg, which is why the calf or ankle can swell too.
What's normal
- Visible swelling around the knee for the first several weeks.
- Warmth around the incision and the joint for months.
- End-of-day swelling that improves overnight with elevation.
- Ankle or calf swelling after long walking days.
What's not normal — call the office
- Sudden, severe, or rapidly increasing swelling.
- Redness spreading well beyond the incision.
- Fever, chills, or drainage from the incision.
- New, persistent calf pain or tenderness (possible blood clot).
How to manage swelling at home
- Ice: 20 minutes, several times per day, especially after PT or walks.
- Elevation: leg above the heart, supported full-length so the knee is not bent.
- Compression: medical compression stockings as prescribed.
- Ankle pumps: simple, frequent, and effective.
- Movement: short, frequent walks beat one long walk.
Tracking swelling
Logging swelling daily inside My Recovery — none, mild, moderate, significant — makes patterns obvious. You will quickly see what helps (rest days, ice, elevation) and what aggravates it (a too-aggressive PT session). That feedback is more useful than any single day's reading.
General guidance — recovery varies by procedure, by person, and by surgeon. Follow the instructions of your own surgeon and care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exercise program
Illustrated, phase by phase — what each movement is for and how it typically progresses. Starts with a printable sheet of the exercises most people begin with.
View the exercise programMore on Hip & Knee Replacement recovery
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