Knee Replacement Incision Care at Home
The first dressing, changing a dressing over a long incision, normal healing, and when to call.
Reviewed by Inspiration Medical Technology, Inc. All articles are reviewed for accuracy and brand-voice compliance by the team behind AllaQuix®. Not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor.
When to remove the first dressing
Many surgeons use a waterproof or long-wear dressing after knee replacement that stays on for about 5 to 7 days. Others change it at a follow-up visit. Remove it only when your surgeon says to, and don't lift it early to look.
If it loosens, gets wet underneath, or fluid reaches the edge of the pad before then, call your surgeon's office for instructions.
Changing a dressing over a long knee incision
Once you're doing your own dressing changes, a dressing long enough to cover the whole incision in one piece is simpler than overlapping small bandages.
The routine
- Wash your hands.
- Sit with the knee slightly bent and supported.
- Peel the old dressing toward the incision, low and slow.
- Look at the incision: color, any fluid, and whether the edges are closed.
- Anchor the top of the new dressing first, then smooth it down so the pad covers the whole incision. Applying it with the knee slightly bent keeps it from pulling when you walk.
- Press the border down all the way around, and wash your hands again.
FOR LONG INCISIONS
Island dressings long enough for a knee incision
The 4 × 14 covers up to a 12 inch incision in one piece. The 4 × 6 fits shorter incisions.
ISLAND DRESSING · 4×14
AllaQuix® Basic Island Dressing 4 × 14
A 2×12 inch pad that covers a long incision in one piece. Box of 25 or a case of 10 boxes.
Best for: long incisions, abdominal and back sites
ISLAND DRESSING · 4×6
AllaQuix® Basic Island Dressing 4 × 6
A 2×4 inch pad inside a 1 inch adhesive border, for longer incisions and larger areas. Box of 50 or a case of 12 boxes.
Best for: longer incisions, larger cuts
What normal knee incision healing looks like
The knee stays swollen and warm longer than most people expect. Here's the usual pattern.
What most people see
- Weeks 1 to 2: swelling, bruising that can travel down the shin, warmth around the knee, and a little clear or pink fluid early on. Staples or stitches often come out around days 10 to 14.
- Weeks 3 to 6: a closed pink line. Numbness on the outer side of the incision is common.
- Months 3 to 12: the scar flattens and fades, and the warmth and swelling settle gradually.
Showering with a knee incision
With a waterproof dressing in place, many surgeons allow a shower. Without one, a sponge bath may be the plan until the incision is closed. AllaQuix® Basic is breathable, not waterproof, so put on a fresh one after showering if the old one got wet.
Baths, hot tubs and pools usually wait until your surgeon clears you, often several weeks after surgery.
Incision mistakes to avoid after knee replacement
Most incision problems after a knee replacement are avoidable.
Don't
- Take the first dressing off early to look
- Soak the knee in a bath, hot tub or pool before you're cleared
- Put lotion, ointment or powder on the incision unless it was prescribed
- Pick at scabs, glue or strips
- Let compression stockings or tight clothing rub on an uncovered incision
- Wait to report drainage
When to call your surgeon
With a new joint, surgeons would much rather hear from you early. Call about anything on this list.
Call your surgical team if you notice
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Redness that spreads outward from the incision, or red streaks
- Warmth, swelling or pain that gets worse instead of better
- Cloudy, yellow or green drainage, or a bad smell
- Edges that pull apart or an incision that opens
- Bleeding that soaks through the dressing. Press firmly over the dressing and call.
- Drainage that continues past the first few days, or starts again
- New pain or swelling in your calf
For trouble breathing, chest pain, or bleeding you can't control with pressure, call 911.
FAQ
Common questions on this topic
When can I remove the dressing after knee replacement?
Many surgeons leave the first dressing on for about 5 to 7 days, but protocols differ. Remove it only when your surgeon says to.
How long does a knee replacement incision take to heal?
The surface usually closes in about two weeks, with staples or stitches out around days 10 to 14. The scar keeps fading for up to a year.
Is it normal for my knee to feel warm after surgery?
Yes. Warmth and swelling are common for weeks to months. Warmth with spreading redness, fever or drainage is different: call your surgeon.
What size bandage do I need for a knee replacement incision?
Choose a dressing whose pad covers the whole incision. The AllaQuix® Basic 4 × 14 has a 12 inch pad for long incisions. The 4 × 6 has a 4 inch pad for shorter ones.
Is numbness around the incision normal?
Yes. Numbness on the outer side of the incision is common and often improves over months.
BEFORE SURGERY DAY
Have long dressings ready before you come home
General patient education, not medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions. Not for emergency, arterial, or severe bleeding.
Dallas, Texas
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