Elevating Knee After Surgery
By Drew Heideman, PT/ATC
What are the Best Practices for Elevating Knee After Surgery?
Can I Place a Pillow Under my Knee to Keep it Bent and Make it More Comfortable After Surgery?
The quick answer, following surgery many patients may be asked to elevate their involved leg to help to control swelling in the extremity. The natural thing for many patients to do is to place a rolled or folded up pillow behind the knee. Initially this can make your knee feel comfortable or have “less pressure”.
Elevation of the Knee
However, this can cause contractures or problems with how far you are able to extend your knee in the future. This can slow the rehabilitation process following knee surgery and lead to increased pain. Instead, when elevating the leg use pillows or a stool. Place the pillow or stool under the ankle and calf to allow the knee to remain straight. Doing this will help to prevent a loss of knee extension range of motion and help to keep the knee straight, while still allowing for management of pain and swelling.
JOI Rehab
Whether you are suffering from knee issues, joint pain, or injuries resulting from any type of activity, JOI has 12 physical therapy clinics conveniently located in Jacksonville and Northeast FL who specialize in orthopedic rehab.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at JOI Rehab for physical therapy, call (904) 858-7045. Come see us!
JOI and JOI Rehab
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.
JOI Rehab