One week after knee replacement: what to expect
Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Free to use · No data collected
Week-one knee recovery essentials
The first week is the hardest: these are the things that make it a little more manageable.
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Circulates ice-cold water around the knee continuously, far more effective than a bag of frozen peas for bringing down that intense first-week swelling. Cold therapy knee system →
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DVT risk is highest right now. Your hospital pair may already be wearing thin — having a fresh second pair means you can wash and rotate. Compression stockings →
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Elevating the knee above your heart is one of the most effective things you can do this week. A proper wedge holds the angle without sliding. Leg elevation wedge →
Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery, nothing else.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view
Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan
Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?”
Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen
Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early
Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.