Medication/pain reliever

After the use of a knee TEP, there are a variety of different medications that can be used to support the patient’s healing process and make it more comfortable. Painkillers and antibiotics will probably be used first. Antibiotics are given so that no infection spreads in the body or the foreign body is rejected by the body through the use of the artificial joint.

Painkillers are primarily used to relieve postoperative pain, although most preparations are also anti-inflammatory. Well-known agents such as ibuprofen, ASA or diclofenac, but also novamine sulfone and slightly effective opioids such as tilidine or tramadol can be used. In addition to these mostly orally or intravenously administered substances, there is a variety of different creams and gels that can be applied locally to relieve pain and inflammation as well as local swelling.

Among the preparations are for example Proff pain gel (with ibuprofen), Diclac pain gel (with diclofenac) or homeopathic creams such as Arnica ointment or Traumeel ointment. Homeopathic medicines can also be used to accompany therapy to relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, muscle cramps and others. There are also special gels for the scars resulting from the operation, which are intended to make the scars smoother and less sensitive to pain when massaged in.

OP aftercare

The post-operative treatment of a knee TEP is well structured and starts on the day of the operation. In order to drain off postoperative bleeding and prevent swelling of the joint, 1-2 drainage tubes are usually placed in the knee joint, which are pulled out after 2-3 days. It is possible that there is also a pain catheter in the thigh, through which the painkillers can be administered directly intravenously into the leg.

Alternatively, the analgesics can be administered via drip or orally. The dose of painkillers is highest directly after the operation, so that the patient is as pain-free as possible and can perform the important initial mobilization exercises well. The aim is to mobilize the knee joint as early as possible to ensure good mobility.

For this reason, the operated knee is moved directly passively by a motorized splint in the pain-free area. Light strengthening exercises with the feet as well as standing exercises next to the bed to stabilize the circulation are part of the therapy. The dose of painkillers (usually a combination of ibuprofen and Novalgin) is reduced over the course of the days until the patient can usually manage well without painkillers after one week.

After mainly passive exercises for mobilization and light strengthening, partial weight bearing of the leg on crutches begins around the fourth day. In the days that follow, the post-treatment is concerned with ever greater progress in mobility. For this purpose, pain-adapted full weight-bearing is practiced on a walking bench, gait training is carried out, the knee joint is passively mobilized by the physiotherapist and manual lymph drainage is performed to counteract swelling and activate the tissue.

If the healing process progresses as standard and there are no complications, rehabilitation begins after one week. This can be done either as an inpatient or, which many patients prefer, as an outpatient. The rehabilitation measures then focus on rebuilding the knee joint muscularly, improving mobility, restoring balance, coordination and stabilization exercises as well as sensomotoric training.

This should prepare the patient for a normal everyday life. After about 6 months, with an uncomplicated healing process, appropriate sports activities can be started again and the patients have virtually no restrictions in their everyday life. Regular follow-up examinations guarantee that the implant does not become loose prematurely and that the healing process continues as usual. You can find more detailed information in the article:

Knee TEP symptoms/pain
Physiotherapy after knee surgery
Physiotherapy for knee TEP
Exercises with a knee TEP
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)