Swelling after orthopaedic surgery

It is a normal process that our bodies respond with swelling after an injury occurs. Even after a kind of artificial injury -surgery- our neurological system is on high alert responding with swelling in the operated area.

Swelling can be only blood within a joint or tissue after joint surgery or blunt forced trauma. Almost every time after orthopaedic surgery ie knee replacement or ACL reconstruction the area shows signs of lymphatic swelling (lymphatic edema) all over the (lower) limb. This is caused by lesions of lymphatic vessels with lymphatic transport being impaired.

These edema present symptoms like swelling, pain, inflammation and itching.

A very crucial process in rehabilitation is to support lymphatic transport! On top these edemas have an extensive inflammatory components in patients with reduced mobility and should be treated immediately.

This can be done by wearing compression stockings, manual lymphatic drainage or simply

some very targeted exercises in order to increase pneumatic pumping effect of muscles.

Less swelling means a much better (joint) mobility, less discomfort and structures are far easier to treat and their response to what's been done is way higher too.