Most wounds after hip and knee replacement heal uneventfully with the Hypafix dressing applied in hospital. Understanding what is normal at each stage of healing, how to care for your wound at home, and when to seek help will give you confidence throughout the recovery process.
What is Normal
In the days and first two weeks after surgery, the following are all normal:
- Some mild bruising and swelling around the wound and extending down the limb
- Mild redness within a few millimetres of the wound edges
- A small amount of dried blood on the outer surface of the Hypafix dressing
- Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation around the scar (especially the knee) — this often improves over months
- Mild ooze of serous (clear or slightly yellow) fluid from the wound edges in the first few days
What Requires Attention
Contact Dr Liew's rooms promptly — and send a photo — if you notice any of the following:
- Redness spreading significantly beyond the wound edges
- Increasing warmth around the wound
- Active discharge of fluid or pus from the wound
- Wound separation (the edges pulling apart)
- Fever above 38.5°C
If you are ever unsure, the safest approach is to take a photo and send it to our rooms. Our team can review and advise promptly. Early attention to wound concerns is always preferable to waiting.
"A well-healed wound is the first sign of a great recovery. When in doubt, send us a photo."
— Dr Chien-Wen LiewFrequently Asked Questions
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