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Published on: 5/6/2025

Is Swelling Normal Two Years After Knee Replacement Surgery?

It is not common to have noticeable swelling two years after knee replacement. While some mild changes can happen over time, lasting or increasing swelling should be checked by a doctor.

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Explanation

After a knee replacement, it is usual to experience swelling initially as your body heals. Over time—months and even a year—the swelling generally goes down as you recover and the knee adjusts. Two years later, most people do not have significant swelling. However, every person is different; some may still notice a little swelling with daily activities. According to the literature, persistent swelling can sometimes be due to issues like recurrent bleeding inside the joint (hemarthrosis) or other reasons that might look like swelling caused by blood clots in the leg. Experts have been careful to point out that not all swollen or warm areas in the calf are due to clots. It is important to pay attention to other signs such as increased pain, redness, or warmth, which could mean something is not normal. If your swelling is causing discomfort or worry, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor to rule out any complications and get the proper care.

(References)

  • Zi Jie SS, Lau Cheng Kiang A, Lee Yee Han D. Recurrent Hemarthrosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Arthroplast Today. 2021 Jun 1;9:101-105. doi: 10.1016/j.artd.2021.04.010. PMID: 34141845; PMCID: PMC8184407.

  • Lotz B, Palmer A, Deo SD. Beware of the hot swollen calf following knee replacement surgery: it might not be a deep vein thrombosis. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Nov 21;12(11):e227830. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227830. PMID: 31753818; PMCID: PMC6887406.

  • Yang L, Wu BY, Wang CF, Li HW, Bian WW, Ruan H. Indicators and medical tests to identify lower limb swelling causes after total knee arthroplasty: a Delphi study with multidisciplinary experts. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Aug 5;18(1):573. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03980-6. PMID: 37543607; PMCID: PMC10403920.

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