At nine weeks after knee replacement surgery, most patients are getting better and better. It’s getting a little easier to sleep at night and the need for pain medication has dropped off significantly. Pain medication may be needed during the day or maybe to get a good night’s sleep, but is used less frequently, of course, then six weeks after surgery. The knee still feels tight, it still feels swollen, and it certainly may even still feel warm.
At this point, your body is trying to stop movement by laying down more scar tissue. You’re trying to encourage movement because you want to feel better. It all comes down to motion. At nine weeks, it’s important to start returning to those activities you enjoy. Most patients are even returning to work and getting more aggressive with the rehabilitation. At this point, it’s important to be patient and know that you’re getting better and better every week.
