Total Knee Replacement Postoperative Wound Care Instructions

 

  •       Your surgical incision will be closed with a ZipLine Closure Device which will be removed at your 1st follow-up appointment (two weeks post-op). Overlying the ZipLine will be a thin layer of yellow gauze, several layers of padded white gauze, and an ACE wrap.  Please leave this dressing in place for 72 hours post-op unless it becomes saturated with blood, in which case you should remove the dressing and cover the incision with clean dry gauze and tape and change the dressing once daily thereafter.  There will be an indwelling nerve block (AKA a “pain pump”) which slowly trickles local anesthetic into the knee joint.  The tubing is attached to a reservoir pouch contained in a small bag.  Please do not shower or get any of your dressings wet until the pain pump has been removed.  You will be shown a video and provided instructions on how to manage your pain pump prior to discharge home.  It is OK to take brief showers beginning post-op day 3 using the Dyna-Hex cleaning solution you were provided from our office, but please do not soak the incision in the bath, pool, hot-tub, lake, etc.  After you have showered allow the knee to dry and then cover the incision with dry gauze and tape.  You do not need to apply any antibiotic ointment to the incision.  Please do not use any scar treatment creams/ointments (such as Mederma or Vitamin E) until one month post-op. 

 

  •       Clear and/or bloody drainage from the incision or On-q pain pump site may occur for several days and is normal.  If there is any significant redness surrounding the incision or yellow drainage from the wound please monitor closely.  Warmth, bruising, small blisters, and swelling is normal and part of the healing process.  Warmth and swelling can last up to 6 months after your surgery. 

 

  •       You will be discharged home with a cryotherapy circulating ice machine. This is yours to keep and does not need to be returned.  Using ice regularly will help control pain and swelling, especially in the first 1-2 weeks after your surgery.  Please use the machine or ice packs 15-20 minutes at a time and repeat 5-10 times daily for the first two weeks.  Place a thin towel over your skin to prevent frostbite injury.  

  •       You can anticipate significant bruising and swelling below the knee extending into the calf, ankle, and foot.  Elevating the knee frequently will help control swelling in addition to frequent icing. 

 

  •       Your knee will appear “larger” in size for up to a year, or until the soft tissue healing process is complete. 

 

  •       There will be numbness immediately surrounding the incision, especially on the outside of the knee.  Small superficial sensory skin nerves must be cut through to access the knee joint for your replacement. 

 

  •       At your two week follow-up further wound care instructions will be provided if necessary.

 

  •       Please contact our office through MyChart, or call 270-417-7940 if you have any concerns and our office staff will be happy to help you.