Patient Guide: Total Knee Replacement Precautions and Helpful Hints

- If your surgeon has ordered one, you will need to be in a continuous passive
motion (CPM) machine after your surgery. The CPM slowly and gently flexes
and extends your knee so that you don’t develop a knee contracture and the
buildup of scar tissue;
- Your physical therapist or nurse will tell you how many hours a day you will
need to be in the CPM; however, most patients use it for 8 out of 24 hours;
- Your physical therapist will gradually increase the range of motion (ROM)
daily if tolerated;
- If you are uncomfortable or are in pain in the CPM, press the off button and
call the nurse immediately;
- When you are not in the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine,
alternate between elevating your surgical leg above the heart with pillows to
reduce swelling and practicing knee extension with heel supported on pillow
or towel roll;
- Your leg will be swollen for a few weeks after surgery; therefore, ice packs or
a machine called a cryocuff can be used to reduce the swelling.