Which symptoms after a knee replacement are normal, and which are warning signs?

What is normal in the first weeks

• Swelling of the knee and often the lower leg and ankle, worse at the end of the day
• Warmth over the knee, which can last for several months
• Bruising down the shin or calf
• Stiffness in the morning and after sitting
• Aching at night and difficulty finding a comfortable position
• Numbness on the outer side of the scar, which usually shrinks over time
• A clicking feeling from the implant surfaces

Call the team the same day

• Temperature above 38 degrees or shivering
• Redness spreading from the wound, or a wound that becomes increasingly painful
• Any fluid leaking from the wound after the first few days, or the wound edges separating
• New pain, swelling or tenderness in the calf or thigh
• Pain that suddenly worsens after a period of improvement
• Inability to put weight on the leg when you could before

Go to emergency immediately

Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood or fainting can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care straight away. Call 999 in Qatar. A fall with a sudden change in the shape of the knee, or inability to straighten it, also needs urgent assessment.

Later warning signs

Months or years after surgery, contact your surgeon if the knee becomes painful after being comfortable, swells repeatedly, feels unstable, or develops warmth and redness, especially after an infection elsewhere in the body or dental work. These can signal loosening, wear or late infection and should be checked early.

Follow-up in Doha

Patients of Dr. Gelber at Aman Hospital receive clear instructions on wound care, clot prevention and who to call. If you are unsure whether a symptom is normal, it is always better to call and ask than to wait.