Lower Extremity: Managing Inflammation, Swelling, and Pain

These instructions are for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients to manage inflammation, swelling, and pain following surgeries like ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, or OCD repair.

Patient instructions:

To minimize your pain and swelling following surgery and maximize your movement and comfort it is important to follow these simple instructions.

Rest

Your body needs time to recover from your surgery, be sure to rest.  However, it is important to perform the home exercises you were taught before surgery.

Ice

Apply ice to the affected area at least 5 times a day for 15-20 minutes. The ice should go on top of your bandages and compression wrap, not directly on your skin. Be sure to ice immediately after your exercises.

Compress

Following your surgery, you will have bandages, cotton, and an elastic bandage over the surgical site and a white stocking on both legs which helps blood flow back to the heart. Always keep compression, such as elastic bandages or compression sleeve, over the affected area.  Bandages and stockings may be removed at your first office visit after surgery, but you will still need to continue with the compression wrap or sleeve. Loosen the compression if your foot or toes are turning blue or feeling numb.

Elevate

To help with blood flow and decrease swelling, keep the affected area higher than your heart when possible. For knees and ankles: position pillows at the lower calf, never behind the knee. For hips, position a pillow under the knee.

Contact your CHOP healthcare provider with questions, concerns or:

• If there are signs of infection at the surgical site, such as:

  • Tenderness

  • Redness and heat

  • White or yellow drainage

• If you have a temperature of 102°F or higher

• If you are having difficulty managing the pain when taking the pain medicines as prescribed.

Reviewed on January 13, 2023, by Ken Knecht, PT, MS, SCS