Undergoing a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a significant step toward a more active, pain-free life, but a successful outcome depends heavily on your recovery. The first few weeks after surgery are crucial. To help you manage your post-operative care and know exactly when to call for help, we’ve created an easy-to-use Traffic Light System. This system simplifies your daily self-assessment, helping you monitor your pain, swelling, and overall healing. Learn to recognize the signs for the Green (All Clear), Yellow (Warning), and Red (Medical Alert!) zones, so you can recover confidently and safely at home. Your active participation in this recovery process is the most important ingredient for success!
Total Knee Replacement Guide
| Traffic Light Zone | Status | What to do / Look for |
| 🟢 Green Zone | All Clear. This is the safety zone if you have: | * Pain that is controlled by prescribed pain medications. |
| * No swelling, redness, or draining at your surgery site. | ||
| * Been keeping all appointments with physical therapy and your doctor. | ||
| 🟡 Yellow Zone | Warning. Call your doctor if you have: | * Pain that is not controlled by prescribed pain medications. |
| * Fever higher than $100.5$ degrees. | ||
| * Swelling that seems to be worsening, redness, opening of wound, cloudy or bloody drainage from your surgical site. | ||
| * Trouble tolerating physical therapy well. | ||
| 🔴 Red Zone | Medical Alert! | * Go to the emergency department or call 911 if you have: |
| * A fall at home. | ||
| * Shortness of breath or chest pain. |
📅 Every Day:
- No smoking! Avoid secondhand smoke.
- Balance activity and rest.
- Resume a well-balanced diet or the specific diet your physician recommended.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Avoid NSAIDs (Advil, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, etc.) until your doctor tells you to take them.
- Monitor your surgery site daily.
Source
The information provided in the Traffic Light Guide is adapted from widely-used patient education materials for Total Knee Replacement recovery.
Original Source Materials Referenced:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Knee Replacement. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement/.
- Choosing CMS’s Patients’ Guide to Total Joint Replacement and Recovering from your Knee or Hip Replacement Surgery (2018). Available at: https://ortho-patient-education/total-joint-replacement/patient-guide.pdf/file/en. (Note: The specific URL in the image appears truncated and may need correction).
Disclaimer
This information is intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare provider. Always consult your surgeon or healthcare team for specific instructions regarding your post-operative care and recovery.
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