Pulmonary embolism may lead to shortness of breath and may be fatal if not treated. The blood clot may travel up the veins and to the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary embolism. The blood clot formed in the leg may cause swelling of the leg especially the calf region. Major surgery such as knee replacement is a significant risk factor for deep vein thrombosis. Deep thrombosis occurs as a result of the formation of a blood clot inside the veins of the legs. The swelling may also be caused as a result of deep vein thrombosis.

The infected prosthetic joint needs blood and radiological investigations as well as need revision surgery. The swelling associated with infection is due to the inflammation and fluid formation secondary to bacterial activity. The infection may also cause fever and in severe cases of infection, a discharge may be present. The swelling of the knee joint secondary to infection may present with redness and pain. The infection of the prosthetic joint may occur in the immediate postoperative period, in a few weeks/months after the surgery or even years after the surgery. While the normal swelling after knee replacement surgery gradually improves, at times the swelling may represent a serious pathology such as deep vein thrombosis or infection. Compression stockings also help decrease the incidence of deep vein thrombosis. The patients may also use compression stockings to decrease swelling. The movement of the ankle brought about by the contraction of the calf muscles not only decreases the swelling but also helps in preventing deep vein thrombosis. The patients after knee replacement surgery are advised ankle pumps and other home exercises.Īnkle pumps involve pushing the ankles down and up repeatedly. The elevation helps in flow of the fluid back to the body from the legs. Similarly, patients are advised to slightly elevate their leg just above their heart level. Icing induces narrowing of the blood vessels in the region and that leads to decrease the flow of fluid to the area and decreases the swelling. The patients are advised to apply an ice pack as cold temperature helps in the control of both pain and swelling. Regular icing is recommended for the management of swelling after knee replacement. Intraoperative image showing knee replacement implants. The swelling may get worse at the end of the day with activity. The patients may complain of swelling around their knees, below or above their knees. The swelling persists even after the skin incision heals as the tissues in the body take a long time to get back to their condition before the surgery.

As they take time to heal, there may be excess fluid accumulation in the tissue as a part of the inflammatory chain leading to healing. During surgery, the skin, soft tissues, and bones are cut to perform the surgery. In the case of the knee after replacement surgery, the swelling occurs as a result of the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissue of the knee joint. Swelling is defined as a protuberance of a body. Mild swelling may persist normally as long as six months post-surgery. The swelling is normal and is usually moderate to severe in the first week but gradually decreases for the next weeks and months. Swelling and pain are the most common complaints after knee replacement. The prosthetic joint functions to recreate the motion and alignment of the natural joint. The removed ends are replaced with metal alloy and plastic parts. The surgeon further proceeds to cut and remove the diseased ends of the thigh bone and the shin bone.

Knee fluid removal