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Having a Knee Replacement

Having a Knee Replacement

When to get medical help

Exercise, sports, and other activities

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Having a Knee Replacement

When to get medical help

Call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency department if you have:

pain in your chest
trouble breathing or are short of breath

Call your case manager if you:

have more pain, swelling, and tenderness in your leg (and lying down with your leg raised in a straight position for at least 20 minutes doesn’t help)
are still taking pain medicine 6 weeks after surgery
notice your incision (cut from surgery) is red, hard, hot, and swollen, or is draining
have redness or pain in your lower legs, even when resting
have a temperature over 38.5°C or chills
have sudden pain, less range of motion in your knee, and can’t put any weight on your operated leg
have blood in your stool (poop), urine (pee), or in the fluid you cough up
have a nose bleed that won’t stop
have a lot of bruising that doesn’t seem to be going away (It’s normal to have bruising above and below the incision for 3 weeks after surgery.)

If you can’t reach your case manager or someone else on your healthcare team, call your family doctor or Health Link at 811.

Call your family doctor if:

you have diarrhea (loose stool) that doesn’t stop after a few days
your healthcare team makes any changes to your prescription medicines after your surgery
you have any questions or concerns about your health that aren’t related to your surgery

Tell your case manager if you see your family doctor or go to the emergency department for anything related to your knee surgery.

Current as of: December 6, 2021

Author: Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.