The irony of knee replacement is that you undergo a painful surgery to get rid of pain.

Patients naturally want to know: How bad is the pain, and when will it stop?

Here is the truth about the knee replacement pain timeline.

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The "Good Pain" vs. "Bad Pain"

Before looking at the timeline, distinguish between:

• Surgical Pain: The pain from the incision and bone cuts. This decreases every day.
• Arthritis Pain: The deep, grinding toothache-like pain you had before surgery. This is gone immediately.
• Stiffness/Stretch Pain: The discomfort felt during physiotherapy. This is "good pain"—it means you are regaining motion.

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The Timeline

Day 0-2 (The Peak)

• Pain Level: Moderate to High (controlled by medication).
• Management: You will have nerve blocks or an epidural, plus IV painkillers. You will feel pressure and soreness, but it should be bearable.

Day 3-7 (The Transition)

• Pain Level: Moderate.
• What to expect: You transition to oral painkillers. The incision might feel tight or itchy. Night pain can be common as you try to find a comfortable sleeping position.

Week 2-3 (The Turning Point)

• Pain Level: Mild to Moderate.
• Milestone: Most patients stop taking strong painkillers and switch to paracetamol or mild anti-inflammatories. The constant ache starts to fade into occasional soreness, especially after exercise.

Week 4-6 (The "I'm Glad I Did It" Phase)

• Pain Level: Mild.
• Milestone: You are walking comfortably. You might have stiffness in the mornings or after sitting too long, but "pain" is mostly gone.

Month 3-6 (The New Normal)

• Pain Level: Zero to Minimal.
• Milestone: The knee feels strong. You might have occasional "reminders" (mild aches) during weather changes or heavy activity, but daily life is pain-free.

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Tips to Reduce Pain

1. Ice is your best friend: Ice your knee for 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day to reduce inflammation.
2. Stay ahead of the pain: Don't wait until pain is 10/10 to take your medicine in the first week.
3. Elevate: Keep your leg raised above heart level to drain swelling.

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FAQs

Why does it hurt at night?

Night pain is common due to changes in cortisol levels and lack of distraction. It usually resolves by week 6.

Is robotic surgery less painful?

Yes. Because it spares soft tissue, patients typically report lower pain scores and use fewer painkillers in the first 2 weeks.

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Takeaway

The pain of recovery is temporary and productive—it leads to healing. The pain of arthritis was permanent and destructive.

Trading a few weeks of soreness for 20 years of pain-free walking is a trade worth making.

👉 Ready to end chronic pain? Book an appointment with Dr. Abhijit Kale.