After-surgery information

Knee

You have had surgery on your knee. In the following, you can read more about your recovery and rehabilitation.

Discomfort and pain

It is normal to experience discomfort and pain after the surgery. However, you must be aware of certain symptoms:

• Fever
• Redness, warmth, or swelling
• Pus seeping from the wound
• Intense pain.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call us at (+45) 79 40 57 43.

Take pain medication as needed

In addition to making your recovery less painful and enabling you to perform the rehabilitation exercises, we recommend that you take pain medicine on schedule for 3 days.

We also recommend that you take pain medication 1 hour before doing rehabilitation exercises.

Use of icepacks to reduce swelling and pain

We recommend cold therapy in case of pain and swelling. Apply an icepack wrapped in a towel on your knee for 20 minutes. Then wait for at least 2 hours before you repeat this treatment.

For your scars to heal as nicely as possible, we recommend that you:

• use high factor sunscreen when sunbathing the first year after surgery
• use ‘Micropore tape’ daily for the first year after surgery. Micropore tape can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Care and hygiene

It is important that you follow our instructions to avoid complications.

Check your bandage during the first 24 hours

Your bandage/patches must always be clean and dry. If there is a leakage of blood during the first 24 hours after surgery, your bandage/patches will need a sterile change, and you must contact us. After 24 hours, you can change the patches yourself.

You can remove the elastic bandage after 24 hours.

Bathing

You can have a shower after 24 hours while leaving the patches on. You may shower without the patches after 6 days as long your wounds are no longer leaking fluid. Do not try to soak or scrub your wounds.

Do not use a tub, a swimming pool, or go swimming in the ocean until the wounds are fully healed – typically 3 days after the stitches have been removed.

Scar care

For your scars to heal as nicely as possible, we recommend that you use high factor sunscreen or ‘Micropore tape’ when sunbathing the first year after surgery. Micropore tape can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Movement and rest

Please follow the guidance provided to achieve the best possible results of the surgery. This includes avoiding certain activities.

Walk normally without overloading your knee

After surgery you are allowed to walk with full weight load on your leg as soon as you leave the recovery ward, unless you have been advised otherwise by us. However, you should avoid overloading your knee during the first 2 weeks. Walk as normally as possible. In some cases, you will need to use crutches, and the nurses will assist you.

Knee brace

If a knee brace (Don Joy) is required, you will be instructed in the use of this.

Prevent swelling and fluid retention

To prevent swelling and fluid retention it is important to keep the leg elevated as much as possible in the days following surgery. You should also do some venous pump exercises to prevent blood clots.

Rehabilitation exercises

You should start exercising the day after surgery. Exercises can be found on our website.

We will instruct you in the exercises that are relevant for you.

Driving

Do not drive for at least 1 week after the surgery. We will inform you how long you should avoid driving depending on your type of surgery.

Follow-up care

You have important follow-up appointments to ensure the best possible outcome. You may wish to write down any questions in advance.

Make an appointment for stitch removal

You will have your stitches removed at your own general practitioner 10-14 days after surgery. Please note that you must make an appointment with your own general practitioner to have the stitches removed.

Referral to rehabilitation

We will provide you with a rehabilitation program for the first 2 weeks. After this, you can undergo rehabilitation with a physiotherapist near you if you wish. We will provide you with a referral to your municipal rehabilitation services.

If your municipal rehabilitation services have not contacted you within 5 business days, please contact us.

Kontakt Ortopædkirurgisk Afdeling Beriderbakken 4 7100 Vejle Ortopædkirurgisk Dagafsnit + 45 79 40 57 43

pinfoSLB-1412858612-214 159860   |   05.06.2026