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Post Operative Period

Understanding the post-operative period sets realistic expectations and empowers you to play an active role in your own recovery.

Dr Chien-Wen Liew
Orthopaedics 360

Most hip and knee replacement patients follow a predictable and reassuring recovery trajectory - with meaningful improvement at each milestone. Understanding what to expect at each stage helps you measure your progress accurately and know when to seek help. This guide outlines the typical post-operative journey from discharge to full recovery.

01

Week 1–2: Home from Hospital

The first two weeks at home are focused on pain management, wound care, and gradually increasing independence. Most patients experience significant pain that is well-controlled with the medications provided. Take these regularly as directed - do not wait for pain to become severe.

Keep the wound covered with the Hypafix dressing. Elevate the limb when resting. Ice packs applied over the dressing for 20 minutes several times a day reduce swelling significantly in the first week.

Your 2-week review with Dr Liew is an important milestone - wound inspection, X-ray review, and discussion of your progress and next steps.

02

Week 3–6: Gaining Independence

By week 3–6, most patients are walking with one stick or have progressed to no aids. Driving becomes possible for many patients at 2–4 weeks (automatic vehicle; right knee patients take longer than left knee patients). Confirm with Dr Liew before driving.

Swimming and hydrotherapy are permitted from 4 weeks post-operatively. Physiotherapy continues - this period is critical for regaining strength and range of motion.

Post Operative Period
Watch - Dr Liew Explains
Post Operative Period

Watch Dr Chien-Wen Liew discuss this topic.

03

Month 2–6: Increasing Activity

Most patients feel dramatically better by 2–3 months. Walking is comfortable, sleep is improved, and daily activities are largely unrestricted. Continue to build strength through low-impact exercise.

Avoid high-impact activity long-term - running, jumping, and heavy contact sport place significant repetitive load on the implant and are not recommended. Golf (walking), cycling, and swimming are all compatible with a joint replacement long-term.

04

Frequently Asked Questions

Sudden worsening pain, significant new swelling, warmth around the joint, redness spreading from the wound, or fever (above 38.5°C) should prompt immediate contact with our rooms or your nearest emergency department.
Sedentary or desk-based work: 2–4 weeks. Light physical work: 6–8 weeks. Heavy physical or manual work: 12+ weeks, depending on the nature of your role. Confirm your individual timeline with Dr Liew.
Yes. Swelling after activity can persist for up to 12 months after joint replacement. Elevation, icing, and compression stockings help manage it in the early period.
Please utilise ice as much as you feel confident. I personally recommend using ice multiple times a day. I would use the ice for approximately 2 to 3 weeks after surgery - and not just around the wound, move the ice up and down the leg.
Stockings are a part of the strategy to decrease the risk of blood clots. The main protective factor is regular mobility and hydration. If you can tolerate the stockings, please continue to wear them until two weeks post-op, after which time you can remove them yourself. They can be on one leg or two - it does not require you to have them on all the time if you are finding them uncomfortable. They can be difficult to put on, which is normal.
Yes - it is easy to do too much during the early post-operative phase. The focus of the recovery after your hip or knee replacement should be on swelling control and reducing inflammation. If you go too hard with the exercises, you will put yourself backwards as it will increase the inflammation. Often the longer the inflammation, the harder it is to alleviate later - so it is best to allow your hip or knee to recover naturally without unnecessary activities. Remember, I do not permit any muscle strengthening or physical exertion for the first six weeks after surgery.
Yes - we often find that our regional patients will be able to access either local care for their dressing change, or can even do this themselves. I have a video of how to do this in the links below.

Changing your own hip (THR) dressing →
Changing your own knee dressing →

Please complete the SCRIPTS form if you need further medication.

Usually we would recommend taking Panadol or Panadol Osteo regularly for the first two weeks. The stronger medications such as Palexia and Endone can be taken as required. Most people find night-time the worst - so when you are weaning off the medications, please wean off the night-time medication last.

Many patients will not need to take regular pain medication, so use pain medication only as required. Should you need further medication, please complete the scripts request form.

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Medical Disclaimer: General educational purposes only. Individual outcomes vary. AHPRA Registered Specialist.